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.

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*

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

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.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a disabling migraine variant manifesting as severe episodes of nausea and vomiting and often refractory to many therapies. Gastric electrical stimulation (GES), which can reduce nausea and vomiting in gastroparesis, may provide symptomatic relief for drug-refractory CVS. This study assessed the utility GES in reducing the symptoms of CVS and improving the quality of life. METHODS: A one-year, non-randomized, clinical study was conducted. Eleven consecutive patients with drug refractory, cyclic vomiting syndrome based on Rome III criteria and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN), underwent treatment with temporary GES (Temp GES) and permanent GES (Perm GES). Post-treatment follow up was done up to one year after permanent gastric electrical stimulation therapy. RESULTS: Total symptom score decreased by 68% and 40% after temporary and permanent GES therapies, respectively. Hospital admission events significantly decreased to 1.50 (± 1.00) events from 9.14 (± 7.21) annual admissions prior to treatment with permanent GES. Vomiting episodes fell by 83% post Temp GES and 69% after Perm GES treatments. Mucosal electrogram values also changed after temporary stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: In a small group of drug-refractory CVS patients, treatments with temporary and permanent GES significantly reduced the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms and frequency of hospital admissions.
Clinical Study ; Electric Stimulation Therapy ; Electric Stimulation* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastroenterology ; Gastroparesis ; Humans ; Migraine Disorders ; Nausea ; Quality of Life ; Vomiting*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to study the effect of hydroxyapatite (HA) coating crystallinity on the proliferation and differentiation of human osteosarcoma cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surface roughness of the titanium disks increased by anodizing treatment and then HA was coated using ion beam-assisted deposition (IBAD). HA coating was crystallized by heat-treated at different temperature (100degrees C, 300degrees C, 500degrees C, 800degrees C). According to the temperature, disks were divided into four groups (HA100, HA300, HA500, HA800). With the temperature, crystallinity of the HA coating was different. Anodized disks were used as control group. The physical properties of the disk surface were evaluated by surface roughness tests, XRD tests and SEM. The effect of the crystallinity of HA coating on HOS cells was studied in proliferation and differentiation. HOS cells were cultured on the disks and evaluated after 1, 3, 5, and 7 days. Growth and differentiation kinetics were subsequently investigated by evaluating cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity. RESULTS: Regardless of the heat-treated temperature, there is no difference on the surface roughness. Crystallinity of the HA was appeared in the groups of HA500, HA800. HOS cells proliferation, ALP activity were higher in HA500 and HA800 group than HA100 and HA300. CONCLUSION: Within the results of this limited study, heat treatment at 500degrees C of HA coating produced by IBAD has shown greater effect on proliferation and differentiation of HOS cells. It is considered that further in vivo study will be necessary.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Cell Proliferation ; Crystallins ; Crystallization ; Durapatite ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Kinetics ; Osteosarcoma ; Titanium

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is classified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy or prion disease that affects cervids. CWD has been reported in 15 US states, two Canadian provinces, and in imported elk on several farms in Korea. This study was conducted to examine the molecular biological and pathogenic characteristics of a CWD-associated prion isolated in Korea. The epidemiological origin of this pathogen was also determined. Homozygous TgElk mice were infected with a CWD-affected elk brain pool prepared from the brain of an imported Canadian elk. We measured the incubation time of the pathogen, neuropathological changes by immunohistochemical staining, the pattern(s) of scrapie prion protein (PrPSc) deposition, and PrPSc protein profiles by Western blotting. We found that TgElk mice infected with brain homogenate from the elk suffering from CWD showed incubation times, vacuolar degeneration, and PrPSc accumulation similar to those previously reported in the literature. Our results suggest that homozygous TgElk mice efficiently transmit CWD with short incubation times and that this animal can serve a valuable research model and reliable in vivo diagnostic tool.
Animals ; Brain/*pathology ; *Deer ; Female ; Genotype ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Prions ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Wasting Disease, Chronic/epidemiology/*pathology/transmission

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is classified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy or prion disease that affects cervids. CWD has been reported in 15 US states, two Canadian provinces, and in imported elk on several farms in Korea. This study was conducted to examine the molecular biological and pathogenic characteristics of a CWD-associated prion isolated in Korea. The epidemiological origin of this pathogen was also determined. Homozygous TgElk mice were infected with a CWD-affected elk brain pool prepared from the brain of an imported Canadian elk. We measured the incubation time of the pathogen, neuropathological changes by immunohistochemical staining, the pattern(s) of scrapie prion protein (PrPSc) deposition, and PrPSc protein profiles by Western blotting. We found that TgElk mice infected with brain homogenate from the elk suffering from CWD showed incubation times, vacuolar degeneration, and PrPSc accumulation similar to those previously reported in the literature. Our results suggest that homozygous TgElk mice efficiently transmit CWD with short incubation times and that this animal can serve a valuable research model and reliable in vivo diagnostic tool.
Animals ; Brain/*pathology ; *Deer ; Female ; Genotype ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Prions ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Wasting Disease, Chronic/epidemiology/*pathology/transmission

The rising number of obese individuals has become a major burden to the healthcare systems worldwide. Obesity includes not only the increase of adipose tissue mass but importantly also the altered cellular functions that collectively lead to a chronic state of adipose tissue inflammation, insulin resistance and impaired wound healing. Adipose tissue undergoing chronic inflammation shows altered cytokine expression and an accumulation of adipose tissue macrophages (ATM). The macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) superfamily consists of MIF and the recently identified homolog D-dopachrome tautomerase (D-DT or MIF-2). MIF and D-DT, which both bind to the CD74/CD44 receptor complex, are differentially expressed in adipose tissue and have distinct roles in adipogenesis. MIF positively correlates with obesity as well as insulin resistance and contributes to adipose tissue inflammation by modulating ATM functions. D-DT, however, is negatively correlated with obesity and reverses glucose intolerance. In this review, their respective roles in adipose tissue homeostasis, adipose tissue inflammation, insulin resistance and impaired wound healing will be reviewed.
Adipose Tissue/*immunology/pathology ; Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus/immunology/pathology ; Humans ; Inflammation/*immunology/pathology ; Insulin Resistance ; Intramolecular Oxidoreductases/analysis/*immunology ; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors/analysis/*immunology ; Macrophages/immunology/pathology ; Obesity/*immunology/pathology ; *Wound Healing