OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate that noise-exposed workers have been appropriately selected for the special periodic health examination and that pure-tone audiometry has been correctly applied and the results of these have been properly analyzed. METHODS: We obtained health examination data of noise-exposed workers from 48 special periodic health examination agencies. The data consisted of special periodic health examination results and audiograms that had performed examination during the latter half of 1998. We analysed the appropriateness of the subject selection for the second special periodic health examination of noise-exposed workers, the method of pure-tone audiometry, and the evaluation of audiogram. RESULTS: The screening performance rate is 67.65% in the special periodic health examination of noise-exposed workers. Although 34.29 persons per agency should have had a second examination according to our criteria, only 18.44 persons were actually examined. So a third of subjects were omitted. The air and bone conduction performance rate by each frequency is 75.71 %. 24.29 % persons did not have a bone conduction and were evaluated only by air conduction. The correct use rate of symbols(right, left-unmasked AC, masked AC, unmasked BC, and masked BC) recommended by ASHA(American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) was 70.36 %. Generally air conduction threshold is equal to or higher than bone conduction threshold. In the reverse case, especially if the gap is more than 10 dB(BC-AC > 10), this is considered to be incorrect. When we applied this criteria, the result indicated that it was correct in 75.46 %. The performance rate of air masking was 15.03 %, and bone masking was 26.21 %. 7 among 48 agencies diagnosed NIHL(Noise-Induced Hearing Loss) only by air conduction, 8 performed air masking and 13 did bone masking. When compared with ISO Standard(1964) and Ministry of Labor Standard, the results of evaluation(D1, D2) on hearing loss according to hearing loss type and threshold were rather low. CONCLUSIONS: Hearing Quality Assurance Program about periodic special examination agencies and examiners will continue to be needed and also the evaluation of hearing loss should be performed and controlled using accurate criteria. This will reduce the error among examiners and results in individuals by means of a standard that is capable of being accurate and reliable.
Audiometry, Pure-Tone* ; Bone Conduction ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Masks ; Mass Screening ; Noise

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate microTBS (microtensile bond strength) of current dentin bonding adhesives which have different hydrophobicity with low-shrinkage silorane resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six human third molars were used. Middle dentin was exposed. The teeth were randomly assigned to nine experimental groups: Silorane self-etch adhesives (SS), SS + phosphoric acid etching (SS + pa), Adper easy bond (AE), AE + Silorane system bonding (AE + SSb), Clearfil SE bond (CSE), CSE + SSb, All-Bond 2 (AB2), AB2 + SSb, All-Bond 3 (AB3). After adhesive's were applied, the clinical crowns were restored with Filtek LS (3M ESPE). The 0.8 mm x 0.8 mm sticks were submitted to a tensile load using a Micro Tensile Tester (Bisco Inc.). Water sorption was measured to estimate hydrophobicity adhesives. RESULTS: microTBS of silorane resin to 5 adhesives: SS, 23.2 MPa; CSE, 19.4 MPa; AB3, 30.3 MPa; AB2 and AE, no bond. Additional layering of SSb: CSE + SSb, 26.2 MPa; AB2 + SSb, 33.9 MPa; AE + SSb, no bond. High value of microTBS was related to cohesive failure. SS showed the lowest water sorption. AE showed the highest solubility. CONCLUSIONS: The hydrophobicity of adhesive increased, and silorane resin bond-strength was also increased. Additional hydrophobic adhesive layer did not increase the bond-strength to silorane resin except AB2 + SSb. All-Bond 3 showed similar microTBS & water sorption with SS. By these facts, we could reach a conclusion that All-Bond 3 is a competitive adhesive which can replace the Silorane adhesive system.
Adhesives ; Crowns ; Dentin ; Humans ; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions ; Methacrylates ; Molar, Third ; Phosphoric Acids ; Resin Cements ; Silorane Resins ; Tooth ; Water

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify changes in smart device usage trends of young children using two studies conducted in 2015-2016 and 2017 respectively. METHODS: We compared the data of the previous study of 130 children (Group A) and the new study of 162 children (Group B). The children and parents were recruited from kindergartens in Seoul and Guri/Namyangju cities. We used the “Parental questionnaire for smart device usage status.” RESULTS: There were some changes in the smart device usage in young children and parental perception. In the 2017 study, smart device usage time increased during weekends (P < 0.05) and the usage with siblings decreased (P < 0.05). In 2017, the smart device was mostly used when children had to be quiet without disturbing others (36.8%). No significant difference existed in the main purpose of use: watching video clips (79.3% vs 76.6%). Overall control of the usage was still largely exercised by mothers; however, when using applications, mothers still only helped the children on request (51.8% vs 49.7%). Regarding the effect of smart device on children, responses of “not knowing” decreased and “will be negative” and “will be positive” increased (P < 0.05). Additionally, most mothers thought that “Although the smart device is currently unnecessary, it will be needed in future” in 2017 (46.3%). CONCLUSION: Limiting the smart device usage time during the weekends and increasing parental involvements are recommended. Guidelines for smart devices usage in young children are also necessary considering the changes in parental attitudes in recognizing the smart device usage as unavoidable.
Child ; Humans ; Mothers ; Parents ; Seoul ; Siblings ; Smartphone

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between the smart devices usage-related factors and self-regulation ability development in early childhood. METHODS: Parental questionnaires of 187 children aged 3–6 years were analyzed. The metrics included smart device usage frequency (times/week, scored as uFreq), smart device usage time (hours/day, scored as uTime), parental scale for appropriate smart device usage level (scored as uLevel), the Korean-developmental screening test (K-DST), and the scale for self-regulation ability in young children (scored as SRS, and including four sub-categories: self-appraisal, self-determination, behavior inhibition, and emotionality). The correlations were analyzed by total age group and by each age. RESULTS: In the total age group analysis, uFreq and uTime were negatively correlated with mean SRS (rs =−0.366, −0.330; P < 0.001) and sub-category SRS (rs =−0.186 to −0.370; P < 0.05). Mean uLevel score was positively correlated with mean SRS (rs =0.406; P < 0.001) and most of the mean sub-category SRS (rs =0.174 to 0.362; P < 0.05). In 3-year-old children, the mean SRS was strongly negatively correlated with uFreq (rs =−0.751; P < 0.001), negatively correlated with uTime (rs =−0.518; P < 0.001), and positively correlated with mean uLevel score (rs =0.533; P=0.013). Such correlations seemed to decrease at the age of 4–6 years. CONCLUSION: Self-regulation ability was significantly correlated with smart device-related factors and was the highest in the 3-year-old children. Encouraging appropriate smart device usage will be helpful for self-regulation development of young children.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnostic Self Evaluation ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Parents ; Self-Control* ; Smartphone

BACKGROUND: Falls in the elderly can lead to disability, hospitalizations, and premature death. Even if the fall does not cause significant injury, it may lead to fear of falling, loss of self confidence and restriction of ambulation. Thus, we conducted this study to examine the risk factors of falls in the elderly. METHODS: The study population consisted of 70 persons, older than 65 years. Subjocts were subdivided into 3 groups according to their experience of falls, during the past 2 year period. Among them, 30 persons had no previous experience, 20 had one fall, and 20 more than one fall. Age, past history, situations surrounding falls, MMSE K, GDS short form, ADL, IADL, Mini Nutritional assessment (MNA) were reviewed, and the Get up and go test, evaluation of orthostic hypotension and hearing were done. T-test, chi square, ANOVA, logistic regression test using the SAS program was performed. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 75.4 years with 62.9% malas. The factors associated with falling were age (P=0.01), scores of MNA (P=0.04), Get up and go test (P=0.004), past history (P=0.01), MMSE K (P=0.02), GDS short form (P=0.001), ADL (P=0.003) and IADL (P=0.002). Those in the group who fell once occured mostly while doing a riskful task, while those who fell more than once happened mostly during positional change (p<0.0001). Independent predictors of falls were get up and go test results and GDS short form scores. CONCLUSION: The independent predictors of falls were Get up and go test results and Geriatric Depression Scale scores.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged* ; Depression ; Hearing ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Logistic Models ; Mortality, Premature ; Nutrition Assessment ; Risk Factors* ; Walking

Hippo/YAP signaling is implicated in tumorigenesis and progression of various cancers. By inhibiting a plethora signaling cascades, resveratrol has strong anti-tumorigenic and anti-metastatic activity. In the present study, we demonstrate that resveratrol decreases the expression of YAP target genes. In addition, our data showed that resveratrol attenuates breast cancer cell invasion through the activation of Lats1 and consequent inactivation of YAP. Strikingly, we also demonstrate that resveratrol inactivates RhoA, leading to the activation of Lats1 and induction of YAP phosphorylation. Further, resveratrol in combination with other agents that inactivate RhoA or YAP showed more marked suppression of breast cancer cell invasion compared with single treatment. Collectively, these findings indicate the beneficial effects of resveratrol on breast cancer patients by suppressing the RhoA/Lats1/YAP signaling axis and subsequently inhibiting breast cancer cell invasion.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Carcinogenesis ; Humans ; Phosphorylation

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies in Korea. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an effective modality for treating HCC with a few complications. Liver abscess is most common infectious complication during post-TACE period. However, liver abscess caused by Salmonella typhi has never been reported. We experienced two cases of liver abscess following TACE, caused by S. typhi. Th clinical manifestations of S. typhi liver abscess are similar with other pyogenic liver abscesses. The CT scans showed liver abscesses mixed with necrotic materials after TACE, and the cultures of blood and abscess aspirates yielded S. typhi. The patients did not respond well only with the antibiotic treatment and was controlled after percutaneous drainage. A possible pathogenesis of these liver abscesses is considered as secondary infection in the necrotic liver tissues in biliary carrier of S. typhi.
Abscess ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Coinfection ; Drainage ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver Abscess* ; Liver Abscess, Pyogenic ; Liver* ; Salmonella typhi* ; Salmonella* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of implant-assisted removable partial dentures (IARPD) with surveyed crowns, also known as implant-crown-retained removable partial dentures (ICRPDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic searches of MEDLINE/PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Web of Science, and the Korea Citation Index were performed according to the established search terms for ICRPD. A literature search was conducted for studies published in English or Korean until September 2023, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 216 journals were searched, and 31 eligible studies were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. One systematic review included five case reports of ICRPD. Nine retrospective studies evaluated implant survival/success rate, implant failure cases, marginal bone loss, periodontal status, clinical complications, and patient satisfaction. Twenty-one case reports published in Korea showed good prognoses. CONCLUSION According to the findings of this systematic review, ICRPD has a reasonable survival/success rate, minimal bone loss, and high patient satisfaction.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of implant-assisted removable partial dentures (IARPD) with surveyed crowns, also known as implant-crown-retained removable partial dentures (ICRPDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic searches of MEDLINE/PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Web of Science, and the Korea Citation Index were performed according to the established search terms for ICRPD. A literature search was conducted for studies published in English or Korean until September 2023, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 216 journals were searched, and 31 eligible studies were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. One systematic review included five case reports of ICRPD. Nine retrospective studies evaluated implant survival/success rate, implant failure cases, marginal bone loss, periodontal status, clinical complications, and patient satisfaction. Twenty-one case reports published in Korea showed good prognoses. CONCLUSION According to the findings of this systematic review, ICRPD has a reasonable survival/success rate, minimal bone loss, and high patient satisfaction.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of implant-assisted removable partial dentures (IARPD) with surveyed crowns, also known as implant-crown-retained removable partial dentures (ICRPDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic searches of MEDLINE/PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Web of Science, and the Korea Citation Index were performed according to the established search terms for ICRPD. A literature search was conducted for studies published in English or Korean until September 2023, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 216 journals were searched, and 31 eligible studies were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. One systematic review included five case reports of ICRPD. Nine retrospective studies evaluated implant survival/success rate, implant failure cases, marginal bone loss, periodontal status, clinical complications, and patient satisfaction. Twenty-one case reports published in Korea showed good prognoses. CONCLUSION According to the findings of this systematic review, ICRPD has a reasonable survival/success rate, minimal bone loss, and high patient satisfaction.