Purpose: Cancer is a disease with high social costs, and policymaking through accurate statistics is very important. This study presents the national cancer statistics on the incidence of urological cancers in the Republic of Korea over 22 years, from 1999 to 2020. Materials and Methods: Through the Korean Statistical Information Service, data on the incidence of urological cancers by sex and age in each year was obtained. For each urological cancer, the number of cases, crude incidence rate (CIR), and age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) were calculated, and the statistical trends were confirmed by joinpoint regression analysis. Results: Urological cancers, which have increased ASR over 22 years, are as follows: prostate cancer (average annual percent change [AAPC]=6.72%, p-trend<0.05), testicular cancer (AAPC=5.26%, p-trend<0.05), ureter cancer (AAPC=4.16%, p-trend<0.05), kidney cancer (AAPC=4.14%, p-trend<0.05), renal pelvis cancer (AAPC=3.86%, p-trend<0.05), and total urological cancer (AAPC=4.37%, p-trend<0.05). Urological cancers, which has decreased ASR over 22 years, are as follows: penile cancer (AAPC= -2.93%, p-trend<0.05) and bladder cancer (AAPC=-0.31%, p-trend<0.05). Conclusions It was confirmed that the ASR of all urological cancers increased for 22 years, except for bladder and penile cancer.With the aging of the population, the CIR increased for all urological cancers. This study will serve as basic data for future research and policy decisions.

Background: In South Korea, the legal maximum working hours per week for medical residents is 88 hours, which are longer than those for other occupations, and the intensity of the workload is also remarkably high. Long working hours and job-related stress can worsen the health status of residents. This study aimed to analyze the four-year annual health checkup (AHC) data of residents to identify changes in their health indicators. Methods: This study included 457 male residents who received 4 years of training at a university hospital. They underwent an AHC every year during the training period. Changes in health indicators and related factors over the 4 years were investigated. Results: Body mass indices (BMI), blood pressures (BPs), liver function test (LFT) results, and total cholesterol (TC) levels were significantly worsened during the training period.The increases were the highest in the early training years, between the 2 nd and 1 st AHC.The working hours of the fourth-year residents were the shortest and showed low smoking and drinking rates and high regular exercise rates. On comparing by department, surgical residents showed the highest increases in BMI, diastolic BP, and fasting blood glucose (FBG), LFT enzyme, and TC levels during the training period, compared to residents from the medical and clinical support departments. Residents who were working ≥ 80 hours showed significantly higher FBG and LFT enzyme levels than those working < 80 hours. Conclusion This study is meaningful as it is the first study in Korea to investigate the changes in the health of residents through objective health indicators. The possibility of the 4-year training period adversely affecting the health of residents was confirmed. Health indicators were significantly worsened, especially in the early training period, in surgical residents, and in residents who worked for long hours. Efforts are needed to restrict long working hours and distribute workload during the 4-year training period.

There are several dimensions of academic burnout experienced by medical and health science college students. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of academic relationships on academic burnout. Data was collected from 476 Eulji University students using an online survey over 4 days in April of 2018. Of the 264 respondents, 111 studied medicine (42.0%), 105 studied nursing (39.8%), and 48 studied clinical pathology (18.1%). The questionnaire was composed of the following sections: demographics (four questions), general life characteristics (seven questions), academic enthusiasm (eight questions), academic relationships (15 questions), and academic burnout sub-dimensions (partially revised Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey Scale) (11 questions). T-tests and one-way analysis of variance were performed to illustrate the differences among the three departments. The effects of academic relationships and academic enthusiasm on academic burnout were analyzed using linear regression. Comparing the three departments, academic burnout was not found to be statistically significant (p=0.296). However, medical students' academic enthusiasm was significantly lower (p<0.001) and academic relationships were significantly higher (p<0.001) than nursing and clinical pathology students. The difference in academic burnout among the three departments was not significant. However, medical students have stronger academic relationships, while nursing and clinical pathology students were more focused on academics. Relationships and academic enthusiasm contribute to reducing academic burnout. Therefore, strategies need to be developed to deal with academic burnout considering relationship factors.
Demography ; Education, Premedical ; Health Occupations ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Nursing ; Pathology, Clinical ; Professionalism ; Students, Medical ; Students, Nursing ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Background: In this study, we presented the national cancer statistics on the incidence of hematologic malignancies in the Republic of Korea (ROK) over a period of 20 years, from 1999 to 2018. Methods: We obtained data on the incidence of hematologic malignancies using the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS). For each hematologic malignancy, the number of cases, crude incidence rate, and age-standardized incidence rate were calculated, and the statistical trends were confirmed by Poisson regression and Joinpoint regression analysis. Results: All the investigated hematologic malignancies showed a statistically significant increase in incidence over 20 years. The 20-year trend of the age-standardized incidence rate was as follows: non-Hodgkin lymphoma [average annual percent change (AAPC)=2.26%, P-trend ＜0.05], leukemia (AAPC=0.94%, P-trend ＜0.05), myeloid leukemia (AAPC=1.44%, P-trend ＜0.05), multiple myeloma (AAPC=3.05%, P-trend ＜0.05), myeloproliferative disorders (AAPC=9.87%, P-trend ＜0.05), myelodysplastic syndrome (AAPC=7.59%, P-trend ＜0.05), malignant immunoproliferative diseases (AAPC=11.82%, P-trend ＜0.05), lymphoid leukemia (AAPC=2.21%, P-trend ＜0.05), and Hodgkin lymphoma (AAPC=4.04%, P ＜0.05). Conclusion It was confirmed that the incidence of hematologic malignancies has increased significantly in the ROK over the past 20 years. This study can be used as foundational data source for future studies. In addition, it can aid in the necessary actions of predicting future incidences and establishing future healthcare policies.

No abstract available.
Basophils ; Lead Poisoning

Background: Neuropathic pain (NP) is considered a clinically incurable condition despite various treatment options due to its diverse causes and complicated disease mechanisms. Since the early 2000s, multipotent human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have been used in the treatment of NP in animal models. However, the effects of hMSC injections have not been studied in chronic post-ischemia pain (CPIP) mice models. Here, we investigated whether intrathecal (IT) and intrapaw (IP) injections of hMSCs can reduce mechanical allodynia in CPIP model mice. Methods: Seventeen CPIP C57/BL6 mice were selected and randomized into four groups: IT sham (n = 4), IT stem (n = 5), IP sham (n = 4), and IP stem (n = 4). Mice in the IT sham and IT stem groups received an injection of 5 μL saline and 2 × 104 hMSCs, respectively, while mice in the IP sham and IP stem groups received an injection of 5 μL saline and 2 × 10 5 hMSCs, respectively. Mechanical allodynia was assessed using von Frey filaments from pre-injection to 30 days post-injection. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia were also evaluated. Results: IT and IP injections of hMSCs improved mechanical allodynia. GFAP expression was decreased on day 25 post-injection compared with the sham group. Injections of hMSCs improved allodynia and GFAP expression was decreased compared with the sham group. Conclusions These results suggested that hMSCs may be also another treatment modality in NP model by ischemia-reperfusion.

Background: Lead exposure is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a biomarker for diagnosing atherosclerotic CVD. This study investigated the association between blood lead level (BLL) and CAC using coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography. Methods: This study enrolled 2,189 participants from the general population with no history or symptoms of CVD. All participants underwent coronary CT angiography, health examination, and BLL testing. The association between coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and BLL was analyzed. Results: The arithmetic mean of BLL was 2.71 ± 1.26 μg/dL, and the geometric mean was 2.42 (1.64) μg/dL, ranging from 0.12 to 10.14 μg/dL. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between CACS and BLL (r = 0.073, P < 0.001). Mean BLLs among predefined CACS categories were as follows: absent grade (CACS = 0), 2.67 ± 1.23 μg/dL; minimal grade (> 0, < 10), 2.81 ± 1.25 μg/dL; mild grade (≥ 10, < 100), 2.74 ± 1.29 μg/dL; moderate grade (≥ 100, < 400), 2.88 ± 1.38 μg/dL; severe grade (≥ 400): 3.22 ± 1.68 μg/dL. The odds ratio for severe CAC was 1.242 in association with an 1 μg/dL increase in BLL (P = 0.042). Conclusion Using coronary CT angiography, we determined a positive correlation between BLL and CAC among participants without CVD from the general population. To reduce the burden of CVD, efforts and policies should be geared toward minimizing environmental lead exposure.

BACKGROUND: In Asian countries, including Korea, lead poisoning caused by traditional herbal medicines is often observed in the clinic. However, there have been no reports thus far of lead poisoning caused by drugs that were approved by the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Here, we describe seven patients who ingested a problematic natural product-derived drug (NPD). CASE PRESENTATION: In July 2018, seven patients visited a university hospital after ingesting an NPD, S. capsules. These patients complained of various symptoms, and their blood lead levels (BLLs) were elevated relative to those of the general population (arithmetic mean: 19.5 ± 11.6 µg/dL, range: 6.28–35.25 µg/dL). The total doses and BLLs were directly proportional to each other among the patients (r = 0.943, p = 0.001). After the patients discontinued drug intake, their BLLs decreased gradually. The capsule was confirmed to contain lead above the standard value (arithmetic mean: 2,547 ± 1,821.9 ppm). CONCLUSION: This incident highlights the need to strengthen standards for the management of NPD ingredients in Korea. NPDs are more likely to be contaminated than other drugs. Thorough management by the KFDA is essential to prevent a recurrence. Moreover, systematic health care is needed for many patients who have taken problematic NPDs.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Capsules ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Korea ; Lead Poisoning ; Recurrence ; United States Food and Drug Administration

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest that night shiftwork may increase the risk of prostate cancer and elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. The purpose of this study was to verify whether rotating night shiftwork affects serum PSA level. METHODS: This study included 3,195 male production workers who work in a large tire manufacturing factory. Serum PSA levels were measured and the data on related factors were obtained. RESULTS: The mean serum PSA level was 0.98 ± 0.79 ng/mL. PSA levels were significantly lower in the younger age group, the obese group, and regular exercise group. PSA levels were lower in night shift workers (n = 2,832) compared to day workers (n = 363), but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike previous studies, we did not find any evidence that night shiftwork results in an increase in serum PSA levels. Further research and consistent results are needed to elucidate the association between night shiftwork and the effect on the prostate.
Circadian Rhythm ; Humans ; Male ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is an endogenous steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland. DHEAS has been suggested to play a protective role against psychosocial stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between job-related stress and blood concentrations of DHEAS according to occupational stress factors among female nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 118 premenopausal nurses from 4 departments (operating room, emergency room [ER], intensive care unit, and ward) of a university hospital. Participants were all rotating night shift workers who have worked for over a year and mean age of 33.5 ± 4.8 years. Data from structured questionnaires including the Korean Occupational Stress Score, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used. RESULTS: In the high job-related stressor group, scores of BDI, BAI, and PSQI were significantly higher than low-stressor group. ER nurses had relatively more work-burden related stressors, but they had significantly lower levels of anxiety and depression than other groups. And, ER nurses showed higher levels of DHEAS than the other department nurses. The differences were significant (p = 0.003). Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference even after adjusting for factors that could affect level of DHEAS, such as age, body mass index, drinking, and physical activity (p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: This result suggests the possibility that DHEAS may play a role as a marker of proper stress management. The capacity to secrete DHEAS is not simply due to workload or job stressor but could be determined depending on how individuals and groups deal with and resolve stress. Proper resolution of stress may affect positive hormone secretion.
Adrenal Glands ; Anxiety ; Body Mass Index ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; Depression ; Drinking ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Motor Activity