OBJECTIVESAlthough musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) represent a significant occupational issue for most nursing home staff, few epidemiological studies have been conducted in Korea.

METHODSWe investigated the prevalence of, and risk factors for, MSD within South Korea's largest nursing home using a previously validated, self-reporting questionnaire.

RESULTSFrom a total of 130 registered employees, 91 (70.0%) successfully completed questionnaires were obtained. The majority were female (80.2%, n=73), with an age range of 27 to 62 years and an average age of 47.0 years (SD 8.0). MSD occurred in varying amounts and was classified into distinct categories depending on body site. The most commonly affected region was the shoulder (reported by 35.2%), followed by the arm (22.0%), knee (20.9%) and lower back (19.8%). Three statistically significant risk factors were consistently identified among all 4 MSD sites: manually handling patients (OR 5.1 to 20.8), changing a patient's clothes (OR 6.7 to 30.1) and working as a nursing aide (OR 3.7 to 74.3).

CONCLUSIONSOverall, the present results suggest that employment within a South Korean nursing home incurs certain hazards depending on job description and daily work tasks. The MSD prevalence differed from other occupations within South Korea and previous nursing home studies.

Aural cholesteatoma is characterized by invading squamous epithelia with altered growth properties. Cytokeratin (CK) expression is affected in epidermal proliferative diseases and represents the alterations of keratinocyte proliferation, differentiation, and migration. In the present study, the intensity of CK immuno-expression was determined, using densitometry at various sites in experimental cholesteatoma in order to characterize changes of keratinocytes. With cholesteatoma formation, CK4, a marker for non-keratinizing epithelia, increased in the suprabasal layers of the annular external auditory canal (EAC) and at the pars tensa indicating an altered differentiation and migration of keratinocytes. CK5/6, a marker of keratinizing squamous epithelium, increased only at the pars tensa of the tympanic membrane, indicating basal keratinocyte hyperplasia. CK1/10 increased in the suprabasal layer at the annular EAC, and at the peripheral pars tensa, indicating increased terminal differentiation of keratinocytes. CK13/16, markers of differentiation and hyperproliferation, increased in suprabasal layer of the EAC, and at the peripheral pars tensa. However, it decreased in the basal layer of the EAC, indicating hyperproliferation and migration of keratinocytes. The findings of this study support the basal cell hyperplasia hypotheses for the pathogenesis of aural cholesteatoma, with regard to hyperproliferation, migration, and an altered differentiation of keratinocytes.
Animals ; Biological Markers ; Cell Division ; Cell Movement ; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear/*metabolism/*pathology ; Densitometry ; Gerbillinae ; Keratinocytes/metabolism/pathology ; Keratins/*biosynthesis

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The use of small diameter implants having less than 3 mm in diameter were restricted because of lack of bonding strength to bone. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to observe how much resorbable blast media pin implants increase the binding force to the bone compared to machined transitional pin implants by measuring removal torque, and whether they can be used as final implants for replacement of small diameter teeth. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fifteen rabbits were used in this study. Two kinds of implants (resorbable blast media pin implants and machined transitional pin implants) were inserted in each tibia bicortically. After healing time of 2, 4 and 8 weeks, the removal torque values were recorded and the rabbits were sacrificed for histological analysis. Linear finite element method analyses were conducted to compare bicortical fixation with monocortical fixation. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: Within the limitation of this in vivo study, the following conclusions were drawn: 1) The removal torque value of RBM pin implants showed statistically significant increase compared to machined pin implants at 2, 4, and 8 weeks respectively (p<0.05). 2) The removal torque value of RBM pin implants at 2, 4, and 8 weeks was increased statistically significantly with time (p<0.05). 3) Bicortical fixation showed better stress distribution compared with monocortical fixation in a linear finite element method analysis. 4) RBM pin implants are not recommended as transitional implants because they showed a lot of bone fracture in histologic specimens.
Fractures, Bone ; Rabbits ; Tibia* ; Tooth ; Torque*

We performed a retrospective review of three hundred and twelve consecutive patients who underwent phacoemulsification and posterior chamber lens implantation between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 1990. Patients were divided into three groups according to the wound size: 3.5 - 4.0 mm(95 patients); 5.0 - 5.5mm(74 patients) and 6.5 - 7.0mm(143 patients). The patients in the 3.5 to 4.0mm did not receive suture and the patients in the 5.0 to 5.5mm wound size received one horizontal suture. The patients in the 6.5 to 7.0mm group were further evaluated by comparing those who received two horizontal sutures with those who received a running shoelace suture. At one day, one week, one month, and one year after surgery, astigmatic error was measured and a vector analysis calculation of diopters of mean induced keratometric astigmatism was performed. There was a statistically significant increase in astigmatism following 6.5 to 7.0mm incision as compared to 3.5 to 5.5mm incision at each time interval. There was no significant difference in astigmatism at any time period between the 5.0 to 5.5mm and 3.5 to 4.0mm incision groups. The longer the incision, the greater the postoperative against-the-rule astigmatic shift at the last follow up. Among those of 6.5 - 7.0 wound size, the shoelace suture technique induced greater with-the-rule astigmatic change than two horisontal sutures at postoperative day one but the difference did no longer persist at one year.
Astigmatism* ; Cataract* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Phacoemulsification ; Retrospective Studies ; Running ; Suture Techniques* ; Sutures* ; Wounds and Injuries*

A lithium-ion battery is a rechargeable battery that uses the reversible reduction of lithium ions to store energy and is the predominant battery type in many industrial and consumer electronics. The lithium-ion batteries are essential to ensure they operate safely. We conducted an exposure assessment five days after a fire in a battery-testing facility. We assessed some of the potentially hazardous materials after a lithium-ion battery fire. We sampled total suspended particles, hydrogen fluoride, and lithium with real-time monitoring of particulate matter (PM) 1, 2.5, and 10 micrometers (μm). The area sampling results indicated that primary potential hazardous materials such as dust, hydrogen fluoride, and lithium were below the recommended limits suggested by the Korean Ministry of Labor and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Values. Based on our assessment, workers were allowed to return to work.

This article was initially published on Nutrition Research and Practice with mistyped concentration of lutein used in the study.

A general effect for cell proliferation has been incorporated into Roesch's survival equation(Accumulation Model). From this an isoeffect formula for the low dose-rate regimen is obtained. The prediction for total doses equivalent to 60 Gy delivered at the constant dose-rate over 7 days agrees well with the dose-time data of Paterson and of Green, when the parameter ratio A/B(»am/2betahere m is the repair rate) is chosen to be 0.7 Gy/h. When a constant proliferation rate and known facts of division delay are assumed, an isoeffect relation between low dose-rate treatment and acute dose-rate treatment can be derived. This formula in the regimens where proliferation is negligible predicts exactly the data of Ellis that 8 fractions of 5 Gy/day for 7 days are equivalent to continuously applied 60 Gy over 7 days, provided the A/B ratio is 0.7 Gy/h and the a/b ratio is 4 Gy. Overall agreement between the clinical data and the predictions made by the formula at the above parameter values suggests that the biological end points used as the tolerance level in the studies by Paterson, Green, and Ellis all agree and they are not entirely the early effects as generally assumed. The absence of dose-rate effects observed in the mouse KHT sarcoma can bettor be explained in terms of a large value for the A/B ratio. Similarly, the same total dose used independently of the dose-rate to treat head and neck tumors by Pierquin can be justified.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; Head ; Mice ; Neck ; Regeneration* ; Sarcoma

Various different objects have been reported to strangulate the penis. We reported on a patient who used metal radiator clamps for an extended period of time. Workup included history, physical examination and urinalysis. The patient was taken to the operating room for further evaluation with cystourethroscopy and orthopedic wire cutters were used to break the metal bands.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Diseases ; etiology ; Penis ; injuries ; Rupture ; therapy

Current educational interventions and training courses in microsurgery are often predicated on theories of skill acquisition and development that follow a 'practice makes perfect' model. Given the changing landscape of surgical training and advances in educational theories related to skill development, research is needed to assess current training tools in microsurgery education and devise alternative methods that would enhance training. Simulation is an increasingly important tool for educators because, whilst facilitating improved technical proficiency, it provides a way to reduce risks to both trainees and patients. The International Microsurgery Simulation Society has been founded in 2012 in order to consolidate the global effort in promoting excellence in microsurgical training. The society's aim to achieve standarisation of microsurgical training worldwide could be realised through the development of evidence based educational interventions and sharing best practices.
Curriculum ; Humans ; Microsurgery ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

PURPOSE: We evaluated changes in and factors affecting second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure in a panel study of nonsmokers. METHODS: This study was based on data from a larger study of tobacco use among a representative sample of adults of Korean descent residing in California. Participants included 846 males and 1,399 females who were nonsmokers at baseline (2005-2006) and at follow-up (2007-2009). Participants were selected by probability sampling and were interviewed by telephone. RESULTS: At baseline, 50.0% were exposed to any SHS, and at follow-up 2 years later, 60.4% were exposed to any SHS (p < .001). SHS exposure at baseline was associated with acculturation, employment, spousal smoking, and having a friend who smoked (p < .001). Employment, spousal smoking, and other family members smoking were associated with SHS at follow-up (p < .001). The odds ratio of SHS in the employed group declined from 2.01 at baseline to 1.53 at follow-up, that of the group having a smoking spouse increased from 1.88 to 2.36, and that of the group having other family members smoking increased from 1.20 to 1.69. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that SHS exposure increased among Korean American nonsmokers in California, and the most important variables explaining the change in SHS exposure involved smoking among others with whom the subject is associated. These findings could be used as objective evidence for developing public health policies to reduce SHS exposure.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asian Americans/*statistics & numerical data ; California/epidemiology ; Environmental Exposure/*statistics & numerical data ; Family ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Republic of Korea/ethnology ; Residence Characteristics ; Risk Factors ; Social Environment ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution/*statistics & numerical data ; Workplace ; Young Adult