OBJECTIVES: This study determined the work schedules of public project workers who work an irregular shift and assessed the effect of these schedules on depression. METHODS: Study subjects were 2934 laborers who are members of seven labor unions. Each was given a questionnaire requesting basic personal information, habits, socioeconomic status, and work schedules. Information gathered on work schedules included daytime, nighttime, and weekend work hours. Depression was evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), with Laborers who checked "not depressed" and "slightly depressive" categorized to a low-risk group, whereas laborers who checked "depressed" and "severely depressed" were categorized to a high-risk group. We used the Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression to examine associations between work schedules and depression. RESULTS: Laborers on an irregular work schedule averaged 47.8 hours/week and laborers who working over 48 hours/week comprised over half (54.5%) of the total population. Laborers performing night work, Sunday work, and Saturday work more than once in a month made up 25.7%, 30.8% and 33.5% of the examined population, respectively. A high-risk for depression was identified in 10.4% of laborers. Using logistic regression, depression was statistically associated with working : over 10 hours a day (OR=1.63, 95% CI 1.10~2.43), night work (OR=2.20, 95% CI 1.46~3.32), Sunday work (OR=1.81, 95% CI 1.15~2.85) and Saturday work (OR=1.82 95% CI 1.18~2.82). CONCLUSION: A significant number of laborers with irregular working shifts work long hours and on weekends. Depression was significantly associated with this type of work schedule.
Appointments and Schedules ; Depression ; Humans ; Labor Unions ; Logistic Models ; Public Sector ; Questionnaires ; Social Class

BACKGROUND: Diffuse panbronchiolitis(DPB) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the respiratory bronchioles which was first described in Japan in 1966. DPB is prevalent in Japan and is known to be very rare in western countries. The first cases of DPB were reported in Korea in 1992 and the number of the patients has been increasing. The prognosis of DPR had been very poor because there had been no effective treatment for the disease. Hut it has been dramatically changed since the introduction of low-dose long-term erythromycin therapy. In Korea, there is rare experience of 1ong-term follow-up of DPH patients and we presents the results of mean 21.6 months of follow-up after erythromycin treatment. METHODS: We analyzed the long-term follow-up data of 25 DPH patients who were diagnosed in Seoul National University Hospital during the period from September 1989 to December 1994 and followed up more than 6 months with erythromycin therapy. We tried erythromycin 250mg b.i.d. on all the patients and analyzed the changes of subjective symptoms, physical signs, pulmonary function tests, and chest X-rays. RESULTS: 1) The mean follow-up period was 21.6 months. 2) Subjective symptoms improved in 96% of the patients within 3 months and 76% of the patients showed no symptom after 18 months of treatment. 3) Crackles and wheezing decreased in all patients within 3 months and completely disappeared in 76% of the patients after 18 months of treatment. 4) Diffuse small nodular lesions on chest X-ray decreased in 56% of the patients within 3 months and chest PA was normal in 32% of the patients after 12months of treatment. 5) FVC and FEV1 increased remarkably during the first 3 months and slowly increased thereafter, reaching normal level after 12 months of treatment. FEV1/FVC was 60.4% before treatment and in- creased slowly reaching 76.1% after 24 months of treatment. 6) Erythromycin therapy could be finished in 7 patients. The mean duration of medication was 26 months and no evidence of recurrence was found in 6 months of follow-up. 7) No patients had experienced the side effect of erythromycin, CONCLUSION: The prognosis of DPR is very goad when treated with erythromycin. And at least 2 years of erythromycin treatment seems to be needed for DPB patients.
Bronchioles ; Erythromycin* ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory Sounds ; Seoul ; Thorax

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to compare the outcomes of patients who had undergone a conventional open adrenalectomy (OA) with those who had undergone a laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 66 patients who underwent an adrenalectomy between 1990 and 2005. The study group was comprised of 41 laparoscopic cases with 25 open adrenalectomy cases comprising the control group. The parameters studied included the operating times, transfusion volumes, time to resumption of a soft diet, total frequency of analgesics, time to return to free ambulation and length of hospital stay in both the OA and LA groups. RESULTS: No mortality was observed in either the OA or LA groups. The operating times were, on average, 203.1+/-64.5 and 158.2+/-76.4 minutes in the OA and LA group, respectively (P=0.011). 10 cases in the OA group needed a transfusion (average: 438.52+/-687.57 ml), but two cases including one require conversion to a celiotomy, due to a right renal vein injury, needed a transfusion (average: 23.41+/-110.63 ml)(P=0.004). The patients of the OA and LA groups began soft diets on the 4.8+/-1.1 (3~7 days) and 2.7+/-1.5 postoperative days (1~8 days), respectively (P=0.004). Total frequencies of analgesics were 9.5+/-6.5 and 4.4+/-4.7 in the OA and LA groups, respectively (P=0.001). The times needed to return to free ambulation were 7.6+/-3.8 and 4.3+/-2.3 days in the OA and LA groups, respectively (P= 0.000). Postoperative hospital stays were 16.3+/-7.5 and 7.3+/-2.3 days in the OA and LA groups, respectively (P=0.000). CONCLUSION: An LA appears to be a safe and effective approach for patients with various adrenal pathologies and large sized adrenal lesions. We expect the indications for an LA may be extended to large adrenal tumors as well as primary or metastatic malignant adrenal lesions if the oncologic principles are obeyed.
Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; Adrenalectomy* ; Analgesics ; Diet ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Mortality ; Pathology ; Renal Veins ; Retrospective Studies ; Walking

PURPOSE: Tumor downstaging from preoperative chemoradiation has been associated with an increased probability of a sphincter-saving procedure and with improved local control and survival rate. We observed the effect and the prognostic value of pathologic tumor downstaging, including complete pathologic response to preoperative concurrent chemoradiation, resectability, sphincter-saving rate, disease- free survival, and overall survival in locally advanced rectal cancer patients. METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2003, we recruited a total 78 patients with computed tomography stages II and III rectal cancer which was treated by using preoperative concurrent chemoradiation; all patients had a radical resection with total mesorectal excision. Surgical resection was performed 6 to 8 weeks after completing the radiation therapy. The average follow up was 25.40+/-13.64 months. RESULTS: The number of patients according to CT stage before preoperative chemoradiation was 39 (II) and 39 (III). Tumor downstaging occurred in 51 (65.4%) patients, including 11 (14.1%) patients who had a complete pathologic response. Tumor size, radiation dose, and clinical stage were associated with tumor downstaging in the univariate analysis. None of the clinical or pathologic variables was associated with a complete pathologic response. The overall resectibality was 100%. The number of sphincter-saving procedures were 61 (78.2%). Recurrence occurred in 17 (21.8%) patients: local recurrence in 4 (5.1%) and distant metastasis in 13 (16.7%). None of the patients with a complete pathologic response recurred. Recurrences were 3 (17.6%)/7 (22.6%)/7 (36.8%) for pathologic stages I/II/III. Recurrence was more common among younger patients (P <0.05). Patients in the complete pathologic response group had more favorable disease-free survival compared with other group (yp stage I, II, III) (P=0.026). CONCLUSION: Preoperative concurrent chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer seems to afford some potential advantages: high tumor response, resectability, and feasible sphincter preservation, and even a complete pathologic response. A complete pathologic response to preoperative chemoradiation is associated with an improved disease-free survival.
Disease-Free Survival ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Rectal Neoplasms* ; Recurrence ; Survival Rate

A phytoformula containing the root barks of Morus alba, the fructus of Schizandra sinensis and the roots of Asparagus cochinchinensis (MSA) was prepared as a potential new herbal remedy, and its therapeutic potential for alleviating inflammatory lung conditions was examined. For in vivo evaluation, an animal model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice was used. With oral administration of 6 - 60 mg/kg, MSA potently and dose-dependently inhibited bronchitis-like symptoms in acute lung injury induced by intranasal treatment of LPS as judged by the number of cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and histological observation. The inhibitory potency was comparable with that of dexamethasone. For in vitro assay, the effects on the production of proinflammatory molecules in lung epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages were examined. Although MSA inhibited IL-6 production in IL-1β-treated lung epithelial cells (A549) only at a high concentration (300 µg/ml), the formula strongly and concentration-dependently inhibited NO production in LPS-treated alveolar macrophages (MH-S) at 20 - 300 µg/ml. Based on all of these findings, the new phytoformula MSA is suggested to have the potential to control inflammatory lung diseases including bronchitis, at least in part, by inhibiting inducible nitric oxide synthase-catalyzed NO production.
Acute Lung Injury ; Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Bronchitis ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Dexamethasone ; Epithelial Cells ; Interleukin-6 ; Lung Diseases ; Lung* ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Morus* ; Nitric Oxide ; Pneumonia* ; Schisandra*

PURPOSE: Although indications for abdominoperineal resection (APR) are decreasing due to the widespread of sphincter-saving procedures, APR is still the mainstay in the treatment of rectal cancer. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the appropriateness of laparoscopic APR in terms of oncologic parameters. METHODS: From January 1984 to December 2003, 110 patients with a rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent APR were involved in this study. The data were grouped according to five main items: 1) patient demographic data, 2) operative procedure, 3) gross tumor findings, 4) pathologic tumor findings, and 5) perioperative treatment. Each item was subdivided by factors that could influence the oncologic results, and univariate analyses were performed. Thereafter, a multivariate analysis was performed with those factors considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 106.01+/-9.98 months, the local recurrence rate was 23.6%, and distant metastasis rate was 31.8%. The five-year survival rate was 58.1%, and the ten-year survival rate was 51.1%. Multivariate analysis after univariate analyses showed that independent prognostic factors influencing local recurrence were preoperative CEA level, T-stage, and preoperative radiation therapy. Factors influencing distant metastasis were preoperative CEA level, N-stage, and preoperative radiation therapy. Univariate analysis showed that the laparoscopic approach was beneficial in terms of local recurrence; however, with the multivariate analysis, this was not statistically evident. Prognostic factors influencing long-term survival in the multivariate analysis were preoperative CEA level, stage, and perineural invasion. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic APR was not significantly different from an open procedure in terms of oncologic outcomes. In the near future, a randomized prospective multicenter trial should tell us which approach is more beneficial.
Adenocarcinoma ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Recurrence ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Dizziness has been known as a prognostic factor in sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), but it is difficult to describe and quantify its subjective symptoms. Also, dizziness itself cannot imply vestibular dysfunction in SSHL. Comprehensive evaluation of vestibular function may help us understand the extent of lesions in sudden deafness. The purpose of this study is to determine whether an impaired caloric response is associated with disease severity and hearing outcome. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A retrospective chart review was conducted of 488 patients diagnosed as unilateral SSHL. The patients were divided into two, an abnormal caloric group (canal paresis >20%) and normal caloric group (canal paresis ≤20%). Initial demographic and audiologic findings and final hearing outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The initial pure tone averages of SSHL patients of abnormal caloric group and normal caloric group were 75.4±28.4 dB HL and 68.2±25.4 dB HL (p=0.004), respectively. Patients of abnormal caloric test group showed worse hearing outcome across all frequencies compared to those of the normal caloric group. Also, a significant correlation was noted between the magnitude of hearing recovery and canal paresis (r=-0.223, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: SSHL patients of abnormal caloric test showed worse initial hearing level and poorer hearing outcome. Evaluation of vestibular function in SSHL patients is important because subjective symptoms alone cannot account for vestibular hypofunction patients, and the caloric test can help in the counseling of patients and prediction of hearing outcome in SSHL patients.
Caloric Tests* ; Counseling ; Dizziness ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Hearing Loss, Sudden* ; Humans ; Methods ; Paresis ; Retrospective Studies

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has traditionally been used as a treatment for inflammatory diseases in the Asian region. Recently, anti-inflammatory effects of steamed ginger extract (GGE03) have been reported, but its association with Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori)-induced gastritis has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to assess the anti-inflammatory activity of GGE03 in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells. Our studies revealed that the GGE03 suppressed the growth of H. pylori. GGE03 markedly reduced the expression of the H. pylori-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-8, TNF-α, IL-6, inducible NOS (iNOS) and IFN-γ. We also demonstrated that GGE03 treatment inhibited the H. pylori-activated NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, the treatment with GGE03 significantly attenuated nitric oxide production and myeloperoxidase activity in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells. These anti-inflammatory effects of GGE03 were more effective than ginger extract. Finally, we investigated the minimum effective concentration of GGE03 to inhibit H. pylori-induced inflammation. Our findings suggest that GGE03 not only inhibits the growth of H. pylori, but also attenuates H. pylori-induced inflammation.

Background: Several studies have reported associations between obesity and autonomic dysfunction. However, little research has investigated the effect of bariatric surgery on heart rate recovery (HRR) in the treadmill test and heart rate variability (HRV) in 24-hour Holter monitoring. We investigated the effects of bariatric surgery on HRR and HRV, which are parameters related to autonomic dysfunction. Methods: We retrospectively investigated patients who underwent bariatric surgery in 2019. The treadmill test, 24-hour Holter monitoring, and echocardiography were performed before and 6 months after surgery. We compared the changes in HRR in the treadmill test and HRV parameters such as the time domain and spectral domain in 24-hour Holter monitoring before and after surgery. Results: Of the 40 patients who underwent bariatric surgery, 25 patients had the treadmill test or 24-hour Holter monitoring both before and after surgery. Body weight and body mass index significantly decreased after surgery (112.86±24.37 kg vs. 89.10±20.26 kg, p<0.001; 39.22±5.69 kg/m2 vs. 31.00±5.09 kg/m2, p<0.001, respectively). HRR significantly increased (n=23; 43.00±20.97 vs. 64.29±18.49, p=0.001). The time domain of HRV parameters increased (n=21; standard deviation of the N-N interval 123.57±28.05 vs. 152.57±39.49, p=0.002 and mean N-N interval 791.57±88.84 vs. 869.05±126.31, p=0.002). Conclusions Our data showed that HRR after exercise and HRV during 24-hour Holter monitoring improved after weight reduction with bariatric surgery through improved cardiac autonomic function.