The objective of this study is to examine the correlation between the tolylene concentration in the work environment of organic solvents and the concentration of hippuric acid in urine of workers exposed toluene, and to acquire the fundamental materials of workers' health care and to assist the assessment of the biological permissible exposure limit. The control groups are 72 workers who had never been exposed to toluene and the case groups are 101 workers who had been exposed to toluene. This study was conducted to examine the correlation between the concentration of toluene in work environment and workers' hippuric acid concentration, to investigate the complaint difference of subjective symptoms by means of questionnaire, between the case groups and control groups. The results and conclusions are as follows: 1) The highest mean concentration of toluene in the air is 544.13+/-7.75 ppm in the Printing Department of mixing organic solvents. The concentrations of the others are 463.27+/-5.24 ppm in Department of mixture for organic solvents, and 393.56+/-45.69 ppm in the Printing Department(1), and 248.38+/-45.16 ppm in the Printing Department(2), and 159.38+/-18.51 ppm in the Printing Department(3). 2) The highest mean concentration of hippuric acid in urine is 6034.84+/-1298.35 mg/l in the Printing Department with mixing organic solvents. The concentrations of the others are 4798.44+/-784.53 mg/l in Department of mixture of organic solvents, and 2883.06+/-701.90 mg/l in the Printing Department(1), and 1449.98+/-905.19 mg/l in the Printing Department(2), and 598.52+/-299.43 mg/l in the Printing Department(3). 3) As the toluene concentration in the work environment becomes higher, the concentration of hippuric acid in urine also becomes higher. It is found that the coefficient of correlation between toluene concentration and the concentration of hippuric acid are positive (r=0.868, Y=7.18X+349.57). 4) It is found that the case groups complain of much more subjective symptoms than the control groups.
Delivery of Health Care ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Solvents ; Toluene*

PURPOSE: The epicanthal fold in Korean children is a common cause of pseudoesotropia. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical characteristics of strabismus in children diagnosed with pseudoesotropia. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of children diagnosed with strabismus from February 2004 to January 2005. Strabismic children with a history of pseudoesotropia were included in this study. We recorded the age and chief complaints at the time of pseudoesotropia diagnosis as well as the type of strabismus, the visual acuity, chief complaints, and refractive error at the time of strabismus diagnosis. RESULTS: One hundred and two of 734 children with strabismus (13.9%) had a history of pseudoesotropia. The mean age at the time of pseudoesotropia diagnosis was 2.9 years. The mean age at the time of strabismus diagnosis was 4.4 years. The type of strabismus was exotropia in 58 (56.9%) and esotropia in 39 (38.2%) cases. Refractive accommodative esotropia was seen in 89.7% of esotropia cases and the basic type was seen in 86.2% of exotropia cases. The concurrence rate between chief complaints of pseudoesotropia and the type of strabismus diagnosed was lower in exotropia than in esotropia. There was hyperopia in all the esotropia cases, and the distribution of refractive error was variable in exotropia. The frequency of amblyopia was 19.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of strabismus is high in the case of children diagnosed with pseodoesotropia. Therefore, regular examinations for strabismus, refractive error and amblyopia may be necessary.
Amblyopia ; Child* ; Diagnosis ; Esotropia ; Exotropia ; Humans ; Hyperopia ; Incidence ; Refractive Errors ; Strabismus ; Visual Acuity

A 48-year-old man presented with a dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) of the scalp associated with local recurrence. Axial T1- and T2-weighted images demonstrated a well-circumscribed hypointense and intermediate hyperintense mass in the skin and subcutaneous layer of the scalp, respectively. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images showed the strongly enhanced mass invasion to the skin, subcutaneous layer and adjacent galeal layer. Scalp DFSP is very uncommon but is an aggressive tumor, so MR imaging diagnosis of the extent of the lesion to underlying structures, and initial wide local resection is important to prevent recurrence.
Dermatofibrosarcoma* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Scalp* ; Skin

PURPOSE: This study assesses the surgical results of inferior oblique myectomy on the degree of overaction in patients with overaction greater than +2 of the inferior oblique muscle. METHODS: Seventy eyes of 54 patients underwent an inferior oblique myectomy and at least 6 months of follow-up. Patients with contracture of the superior rectus muscle or dissociated vertical deviation were excluded. The chief complaints, preoperative and postoperative degrees of overaction of the inferior oblique muscle, the angle of hypertropia, and head tilt were analyzed. RESULTS: Deviation of the eyeball (38.9%) and head tilt (25.9%) were the most common complaints. Overall, the success rate was 91.4%, and the likelihood of success decreased with increasing severity of overaction of the inferior oblique muscle. The angle of hypertropia reduced from 11.9 (Prism diopters, PD) preoperatively to 2.2PD postoperatively (p=0.000). Preoperative head tilting was seen in 20 patients (37%) and all saw postoperative improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Inferior oblique myectomy is effective in treating the overaction of the inferior oblique muscle without contracture of the superior rectus muscle or dissociated vertical deviation, especially in patients with greater than +2 overaction of the inferior oblique muscle.
Contracture ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Humans ; Strabismus

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of Mini Monoka silicone stent insertion in treating nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children. METHODS: In 67 eyes of 61 children with nasolacrimal duct obstruction, the Mini Monoka silicone stent was inserted after probing under general anesthesia. The duration of epiphora or discharge, the age at the time of surgery, and probing history were recorded. The surgical results and postoperative complications were analyzed for the cases herein of Mini Monoka silicone stent insertion. RESULTS: The technical success rate of Mini Monoka silicone stent insertion was 91% in children with nasolacrimal duct obstruction, and the success rate for children without probing history was much higher than for those with probing history (81.5 : 97.5%, p=0.035). Postoperatively, the symptoms were resolved in 54 of 61 eyes (88.5%). The duration of preoperative symptoms was shorter in the successful group than in the failed group (15.9+/-7.1 : 21.9+/-8.8 months, p=0.044). Mini Monoka silicone tube was easily removed at 5.6 months after insertion in the clinic. Dacryocystitis was found to be a complication in two eyes yet was resolved without recurrence. Of the seven eyes with spontaneous extrusion of the stent, symptoms subsided in five eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Mini Monoka silicone stent insertion is an effective and relatively easy method, with a low risk of complication, to treatment children with nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
Anesthesia, General ; Child* ; Dacryocystitis ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases ; Nasolacrimal Duct* ; Postoperative Complications ; Recurrence ; Silicones* ; Stents*

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of Mini Monoka silicone stent insertion in treating nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children. METHODS: In 67 eyes of 61 children with nasolacrimal duct obstruction, the Mini Monoka silicone stent was inserted after probing under general anesthesia. The duration of epiphora or discharge, the age at the time of surgery, and probing history were recorded. The surgical results and postoperative complications were analyzed for the cases herein of Mini Monoka silicone stent insertion. RESULTS: The technical success rate of Mini Monoka silicone stent insertion was 91% in children with nasolacrimal duct obstruction, and the success rate for children without probing history was much higher than for those with probing history (81.5 : 97.5%, p=0.035). Postoperatively, the symptoms were resolved in 54 of 61 eyes (88.5%). The duration of preoperative symptoms was shorter in the successful group than in the failed group (15.9+/-7.1 : 21.9+/-8.8 months, p=0.044). Mini Monoka silicone tube was easily removed at 5.6 months after insertion in the clinic. Dacryocystitis was found to be a complication in two eyes yet was resolved without recurrence. Of the seven eyes with spontaneous extrusion of the stent, symptoms subsided in five eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Mini Monoka silicone stent insertion is an effective and relatively easy method, with a low risk of complication, to treatment children with nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
Anesthesia, General ; Child* ; Dacryocystitis ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases ; Nasolacrimal Duct* ; Postoperative Complications ; Recurrence ; Silicones* ; Stents*

BACKGROUND: A number of reports have been published regarding the use of imiquimod for the treatment of melanoma in situ and metastatic melanoma. Essential steps in the process of melanoma invasion and metastasis include degradation of basement membranes and remodeling of the extracellular matrix by proteolytic enzymes, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antiinvasive effect of imiquimod in human malignant melanoma cell lines, SK-MEL-2 and SK-MEL-24, in vitro, and to investigate imiquimod-induced changes in the expression of MMPs and TIMPs. METHODS: Invasiveness of melanoma cell lines following imiquimod treatment was evaluated by invasion assays. In order to investigate the mechanism of the anti-invasive effect of imiquimod, mRNA and protein levels of MMP-2, -9, membrane type 1 (MT1)-MMP, TIMP-1, and -2 were assessed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, gelatin zymography, and western blotting. RESULTS: Imiquimod treatment decreased in vitro viability of melanoma cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Imiquimod also elicited a concentration-dependent suppression of invasion in both melanoma cell lines. A concentration-dependent decrease in MMP-2 and MT1-MMP protein levels and a concentration-dependent increase in TIMP-1 and -2 protein levels by imiquimod was observed in both melanoma cell lines. However, expression of MMP-9 protein was increased in SK-MEL-2 but decreased in SK-MEL-24 with increasing imiquimod concentrations. Imiquimod elicited alterations in MMPs and TIMPs mRNA levels that parallel the observed changes in protein levels. CONCLUSION: Imiquimod may elicit an anti-invasive effect on human melanoma cells by regulating MMPs and TIMPs.
Basement Membrane ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Extracellular Matrix ; Gelatin ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 ; Matrix Metalloproteinases* ; Melanoma* ; Membranes ; Metalloproteases* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Peptide Hydrolases ; RNA, Messenger ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the association among change in the sensation of the arms, the range of motion in the shoulders and depression in breast cancer patients. METHOD: This is a descriptive study on correlation. The participants were 132 patients who had been diagnosed with breast cancer and had mastectomy at a university hospital, and had participated in a breast cancer self-help group. The degree of depression was assessed by SCL-90-R scores. Collected data were analyzed with SPSS 12.0 for Windows. RESULTS: The participants complained of 'heaviness' as the most frequent and serious symptom of change in the sensation of the arms. 'Completely zip up the dress with a back-fastening zipper' was the most difficult motion of the shoulders. Participants who were in a worse stage of disease were in a worse condition in shoulder functions, and on a higher degree of depression. The degree of change in sensation and shoulder functions showed a positive correlation with each other, and both of them showed a negative correlation with the degree of depression. CONCLUSION: Sensation and motion change in the arms and the shoulders were common phenomena that affected depression in patients who had mastectomy. Nurses should consider not only depression but also discomfort of the arms and the shoulders for patients with mastectomy.
Arm* ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Depression* ; Humans ; Mastectomy ; Range of Motion, Articular* ; Self-Help Groups ; Sensation* ; Shoulder*

Atretic cephalocelces are defined as skin-covered midline subscalp lesions that contain meninges and rest of glial and/or central nervous system tissue. When the straight sinus is absent or rudimentary, the falcine sinus can be recanalized to enable venous drainage. Although the atretic cephalocele or persistent falcine sinus has largely been described in the pediatric population, it is a rarely observed in the adult population. We report a unique case of spontaneously involuted atretic cephalocele coexistent with persistent falcine sinus in an adult. MR images and MR venography were useful for diagnosis and accurate anatomical depiction.
Adult* ; Brain ; Central Nervous System ; Diagnosis ; Drainage ; Encephalocele* ; Humans ; Meninges ; Phlebography

BACKGROUND: We investigated the prevalence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their risk factors in an urban community-dwelling elderly people over 65 years old. METHODS: A two-phase investigation was performed from January 2010 to December 2011. In Phase I, all subjects (n=9,485) responded to the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE). Based on the K-MMSE score the subjects were classified into two groups ('Normal' and 'Cognitive decline'). In Phase II, cognitive decline subjects were diagnosed as dementia or MCI according to the neuropsychological tests and doctor's interview. We also surveyed the socioeconomic and medical factors in Normal, Dementia and MCI groups. And we compared and analyzed the socioeconomic and medical risk factors by multiple logistic regressions in Dementia and MCI group. RESULTS: The prevalence of dementia and MCI was obtained 5.4% and 4.3%, respectively. Old age, alcohol intake, living together, low economic status, jobless in the past, diabetes mellitus, previous stroke, lower BMI and family history of dementia were associated with the increased dementia risk. Higher education, hypertension and physical activity were associated with the decreased dementia risk. And old age, alcohol intake, higher education, previous stroke, lower BMI and physical activity were common risk factors in MCI group. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dementia and MCI was obtained much lower than previous reports. Dementia and MCI patients had common socioeconomic and medical risk factors. It is also important to control the risk factors earlier to prevent the increase of patients in dementia. And in order to prove the hypothesis that early control of the risk factors can decrease the occurrence of dementia, the further prospective studies are needed.
Aged* ; Dementia* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Education ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Logistic Models ; Mild Cognitive Impairment ; Motor Activity ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Prevalence* ; Risk Factors* ; Stroke