Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccinations for healthcare workers (HCWs) have begun in South Korea. To investigate adverse events (AEs) of the first dose of each vaccine, any symptom was collected daily for seven days after vaccination in a tertiary hospital. We found that 1,301 of 1,403 ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 recipients and 38 of 80 BNT162b2 recipients reported AEs respectively (90.9% vs. 52.5%): injection-site pain (77.7% vs. 51.2%), myalgia (60.5% vs.11.2%), fatigue (50.7% vs. 7.5%), headache (47.4% vs. 7.5%), and fever (36.1% vs. 5%; P < 0.001 for all). Young HCWs reported more AEs with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 than with BNT162b2.No incidences of anaphylaxis were observed. Only one serious AE required hospitalization for serious vomiting, and completely recovered. In conclusion, reported AEs were more common in recipients with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 than in those with BNT162b2. However, most of the reported AEs were mild to moderate in severity. Sufficient explanation and preparation for expected AEs required to promote widespread vaccination.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe the types of diseases that developed in semiconductor workers who have registered with the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service (KWCWS) and to identify potential common occupational characteristics by the type of claimed disease. METHODS: A total of 55 semiconductor workers with cancer or rare diseases who claimed to the KWCWS were compared based on their work characteristics and types of claimed diseases. Leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and aplastic anemia were grouped into lymphohematopoietic (LHP) disorder. RESULTS: Leukemia (n = 14) and breast cancer (n = 10) were the most common complaints, followed by brain cancer (n = 6), aplastic anemia (n = 6), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 4). LHP disorders (n = 24) accounted for 43%. Sixty percent (n = 33) of registered workers (n = 55) were found to have been employed before 2000. Seventy-six percent (n = 42) of registered workers and 79% (n = 19) among the registered workers with LHP (n = 24) were found to be diagnosed at a relatively young age, ≤40 years. A total of 18 workers among the registered semiconductor workers were finally determined to deserve compensation for occupational disease by either the KWCWS (n = 10) or the administrative court (n = 8). Eleven fabrication workers who were compensated responded as having handled wafers smaller than eight inches in size. Eight among the 18 workers compensated (44 %) were found to have ever worked at etching operations. CONCLUSION: The distribution of cancer and rare diseases among registered semiconductor workers was closely related to the manufacturing era before 2005, ≤8 inches of wafer size handled, exposure to clean rooms of fabrication and chip assembly operations, and etching operations.
Anemia, Aplastic ; Brain Neoplasms ; Breast Neoplasms ; Compensation and Redress ; Environment, Controlled ; Korea ; Leukemia ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; Occupational Diseases ; Rare Diseases ; Semiconductors ; Workers' Compensation

Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccinations for healthcare workers (HCWs) have begun in South Korea. To investigate adverse events (AEs) of the first dose of each vaccine, any symptom was collected daily for seven days after vaccination in a tertiary hospital. We found that 1,301 of 1,403 ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 recipients and 38 of 80 BNT162b2 recipients reported AEs respectively (90.9% vs. 52.5%): injection-site pain (77.7% vs. 51.2%), myalgia (60.5% vs.11.2%), fatigue (50.7% vs. 7.5%), headache (47.4% vs. 7.5%), and fever (36.1% vs. 5%; P < 0.001 for all). Young HCWs reported more AEs with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 than with BNT162b2.No incidences of anaphylaxis were observed. Only one serious AE required hospitalization for serious vomiting, and completely recovered. In conclusion, reported AEs were more common in recipients with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 than in those with BNT162b2. However, most of the reported AEs were mild to moderate in severity. Sufficient explanation and preparation for expected AEs required to promote widespread vaccination.

Background: This study focuses on assessing occupational risk for the health hazards encountered during maintenance works (MW) in semiconductor fabrication (FAB) facilities. Objectives: The objectives of this study include: 1) identifying the primary health hazards during MW in semiconductor FAB facilities; 2) reviewing the methods used in evaluating the likelihood and severity of health hazards through occupational health risk assessment (OHRA); and 3) suggesting variables for the categorization of likelihood of exposures to health hazards and the severity of health effects associated with MW in FAB facilities. Methods: A literature review was undertaken on OHRA methodology and health hazards resulting from MW in FAB facilities. Based on this review, approaches for categorizing the exposure to health hazards and the severity of health effects related to MW were recommended. Results: Maintenance workers in FAB facilities face exposure to hazards such as debris, machinery entanglement, and airborne particles laden with various chemical components. The level of engineering and administrative control measures is suggested to assess the likelihood of simultaneous chemical and dust exposure. Qualitative key factors for mixed exposure estimation during MW include the presence of safe operational protocols, the use of air-jet machines, the presence and effectiveness of local exhaust ventilation system, chamber post-purge and cooling, and proper respirator use. Using the risk (R) and hazard (H) codes of the Globally Harmonized System alongside carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic classifications aid in categorizing health effect severity for OHRA. Conclusion Further research is needed to apply our proposed variables in OHRA for MW in FAB facilities and subsequently validate the findings.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The incidence of treatment failure or recurrence of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) following metronidazole treatment has increased recently. We studied the treatment failure, recurrence rate, and risk factors predictive of treatment failure and recurrence after metronidazole treatment for CDAD. METHODS: We retrospectively identified consecutive patients who were admitted and treated for CDAD at a single tertiary institution in Korea over a recent 10-year period (i.e., 1998-2008). RESULTS: Metronidazole was administered as the initial treatment to 111 of 117 patients (94.9%) with CDAD. Fourteen patients (12.6%) had no clinical response to the metronidazole treatment, and in 13 patients (13.4%) CDAD recurred after successful metronidazole treatment. Diabetes mellitus (p=0.014) and sepsis (p=0.002) were independent risk factors for metronidazole treatment failure. Patients who had received surgery within 1 month before CDAD developed were more likely to experience a recurrence after metronidazole treatment (p=0.032). Vancomycin exhibited a higher response rate after treatment failure, and metronidazole showed a reasonable response rate in the treatment of recurrence. Treatment failure and recurrence rates increased with time after metronidazole treatment for CDAD over the 10-year study period. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that diabetes mellitus and sepsis are independent risk factors for metronidazole treatment failure, and that operation history within 1 month of development of CDAD is a predictor of a recurrence after metronidazole treatment.
Clostridium ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diarrhea ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Metronidazole ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis ; Treatment Failure ; Vancomycin

Intestinal Behcet's disease (BD) often leads to severe complications, such as perforation or massive bleeding, and therefore is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality. As thalidomide has been identified and its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties clarified, this drug has been used in cases of systemic BD with some success. Herein we report a case series of four patients with intestinal BD to share our clinical experience with thalidomide treatment. We studied the effects of thalidomide in four patients who had a chronic relapse of intestinal BD requiring the frequent use of systemic steroids due to refractoriness to prior treatments, such as 5-aminosalycylic acid and immunosuppressants. Pre- and post-treatment clinical and laboratory data, including clinical symptoms, laboratory data, disease activity index for intestinal BD, and thalidomide toxicity were recorded. Three of the four patients had a clinical and radiologic improvement after thalidomide treatment and all of the patients discontinued steroid therapy. Although two patients tolerated thalidomide, two patients could not continue the treatment because they suffered from edema and neutropenia. Thalidomide could be considered a therapeutic option for the treatment of intestinal BD.
Behcet Syndrome ; Edema ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Neutropenia ; Recurrence ; Steroids ; Thalidomide

Intestinal Behcet's disease (BD) often leads to severe complications, such as perforation or massive bleeding, and therefore is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality. As thalidomide has been identified and its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties clarified, this drug has been used in cases of systemic BD with some success. Herein we report a case series of four patients with intestinal BD to share our clinical experience with thalidomide treatment. We studied the effects of thalidomide in four patients who had a chronic relapse of intestinal BD requiring the frequent use of systemic steroids due to refractoriness to prior treatments, such as 5-aminosalycylic acid and immunosuppressants. Pre- and post-treatment clinical and laboratory data, including clinical symptoms, laboratory data, disease activity index for intestinal BD, and thalidomide toxicity were recorded. Three of the four patients had a clinical and radiologic improvement after thalidomide treatment and all of the patients discontinued steroid therapy. Although two patients tolerated thalidomide, two patients could not continue the treatment because they suffered from edema and neutropenia. Thalidomide could be considered a therapeutic option for the treatment of intestinal BD.
Behcet Syndrome ; Edema ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Neutropenia ; Recurrence ; Steroids ; Thalidomide

Colitis Cystica Profunda (CCP) is an uncommon and benign disease entity characterized by mucoid cysts located in the submucosal layer of the colon. It can mimic cystic submucosal tumors or mucinous adenocarcinoma and is usually located in the rectum. CCP is found in the ascending colon less frequently. CCP manifesting as multiple cystic tumors, similar to pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis, has not yet been reported. Recently, a case of CCP mimicking pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in the ascending colon was treated. Here this case is reported and the literature reviewed.
Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; Colitis ; Colon ; Colon, Ascending ; Hydrazines ; Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis ; Rectum

BACKGROUND: Low levels of physical activity (PA) are strongly associated with the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and chronic diseases. However, few studies have examined this association in Koreans. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the associations between PA and MetS risks in Korean adults. METHODS: A total of 1,016 Korean adults (494 males and 522 females) participated in this study. PA levels were assessed using the International PA Questionnaire. MetS risk factors were determined using clinically established diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: Compared with the highest PA group, the group with the lowest level of PA was at greater risk of high triglyceride (TG) in males (odds ratio [OR], 1.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07 to 3.24) and of hemoglobin A1c > or =5.5% in females (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.00 to 3.04) after adjusting for age and body mass index. Compared with subjects who met the PA guidelines, those who did not meet the guidelines were more likely to have low high density lipoprotein cholesterol in both males (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.11 to 2.58), and females (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.20 to 2.77). Furthermore, those who did not meet the PA guidelines were at increased risk of high TG levels in males (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.86) and abnormal fasting glucose (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.17 to 3.20) and MetS (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.15 to 3.84) in females. CONCLUSION: Increased levels of PA are significantly associated with a decreased risk of abnormal MetS components.
Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Chronic Disease ; Fasting ; Female ; Glucose ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Motor Activity ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms with Graves' disease in Koreans. We also investigated the association of VDR gene polymorphisms with the clinical characteristics and titers of TSH receptor antibodies in patients with Graves' disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The VDR gene polymorphisms were evaluated in 117 patients with Graves' disease and 156 normal controls. The polymorphisms were represented according to restriction fragment length polymorphism; Aa(ApaI), Bb(BsmI) and Tt(TaqI), with the capital letters signifying the absence, and small letters the presence of restriction sites. RESULTS: The distribution of the ApaI polymorphism genotype was: AA(17.1%), Aa(50.4%) and aa(32.5%). The BsmI polymorphism genotype distribution was: BB(7.1%), Bb(35.4%) and bb(57.5%); and the TaqI polymorphism genotype distribution was: TT(92.6%), Tt(6.2) and tt(1.2%). No significant differences in either genotypic or allelic distributions were observed, between the patients with Graves' disease and the normal controls, associated with the VDR gene polymorphisms. No significant differences were observed with age, sex, size of goiter or the presence of ophthalmopathy, in patients with Graves' disease associated with the VDR gene polymorphisms. However, the titers of the TBII were significantly higher in the aa than the Aa genotype, and were also higher in the group without the A allele than in groups with(aa 55.9+/-18.3 vs. Aa 43.2+/-23.4, p<0.05; aa 55.9+/-18.3 vs. AA and Aa 42.9+/-23.5, p<0.05). Thyroid stimulating antibodies measured with a CHO cell transfected with a wild type of human TSH receptor, were also higher in patients without the A allele than in those with(aa 620+/-829 vs. AA and Aa 353+/-306, p<0.05). The titers of the anti-thyroglobulin antibodies were significantly higher in the groups not containing the B allele than in the group that did(bb 50.9+/-42.8 vs. BB and Bb 31.9+/-38.9, p<0.05). The serum alkaline phosphatase activities were higher in the group having the b allele than in the group that did not(Bb and bb 139+/-68 vs. BB 82.2+/-15.5, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The VDR gene 3' end polymorphism was not associated with susceptibility to Graves' disease in Koreans. The studies of other polymorphism sites of the VDR gene might be required to elucidate the association of VDR gene polymorphisms with Graves' disease in Koreans.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Alleles ; Animals ; Antibodies ; CHO Cells ; Cricetinae ; Genotype ; Goiter ; Graves Disease* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Thyroid-Stimulating ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Receptors, Calcitriol* ; Receptors, Thyrotropin ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*