PURPOSE: This study was done to investigate the effect of non-smoking campaign for subway workers on their health behavior such as smoking, drinking, and exercise. METHOD: The study was done on the subjects of 112 male employees for 3 years from 2003 to 2005 working at the Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation. However, the subjects decreased to 105 in 2004 and 111 in 2005 due to work transfer. The data were obtained through administering questionnaires. The non-smoking campaign was done with health education using various strategies and methods by an administrator-in-charge assisted by the community health center. RESULTS: Smoking rate and cigarette consumption decreased but there was no statistical significance. Smokers' frequency of drinking and exercise were higher than that of non-smokers, but there was no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The result indicated the program was not effective to change the subjects' health behavior; therefore, tailored program considering the subjects is recommended.
Community Health Centers ; Drinking ; Health Behavior ; Health Education ; Humans ; Male ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Railroads ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tobacco Products

PURPOSE: This study was done to investigate the effect of non-smoking campaign for subway workers on their health behavior such as smoking, drinking, and exercise. METHOD: The study was done on the subjects of 112 male employees for 3 years from 2003 to 2005 working at the Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation. However, the subjects decreased to 105 in 2004 and 111 in 2005 due to work transfer. The data were obtained through administering questionnaires. The non-smoking campaign was done with health education using various strategies and methods by an administrator-in-charge assisted by the community health center. RESULTS: Smoking rate and cigarette consumption decreased but there was no statistical significance. Smokers' frequency of drinking and exercise were higher than that of non-smokers, but there was no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The result indicated the program was not effective to change the subjects' health behavior; therefore, tailored program considering the subjects is recommended.
Community Health Centers ; Drinking ; Health Behavior ; Health Education ; Humans ; Male ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Railroads ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tobacco Products

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of growth hormones on children with growth hormone deficiency(GHD) or idiopathic short stature(ISS). METHODS: Between January 1988 to July 2003, 45 patients(M26, F19) with GHD and 24 patients (M13, F11) with ISS were enrolled in this study. Height standard deviation score(Ht SDS) for chronological age(CA) and Ht SDS for bone age(BA) were obtained for each patient upon diagnosis and after growth hormone(0.1-0.15 IU/kg) was injected subcutaneously daily. RESULTS: Ht SDS for CA was -2.06+/-0.23 before treatment, -1.60+/-0.21 at one year, -1.52+/-0.23 at two years, -1.61+/-0.28 at three years, -1.60+/-0.31 at four years, and -1.54+/-0.32 at five years, showing a statistically significant increase for five years(P<0.05). Meanwhile, the values were -2.03+/-0.55 before treatment, -1.44+/-0.66 at one year, -0.14+/-1.06 at two years, -0.68+/-1.27 at three years, -1.16+/-0.96 at four years, and -1.37+/-0.94 at five years, in ISS, showing a statistically significant increase for the first three years(P<0.05) only. Ht SDS for BA in GHD was -0.53+/-0.19 before treatment, -0.39+/-0.18 at one year, -0.32+/-0.20 at two years, -0.43+/-0.22 at three years, -0.39+/-0.19 at four years, and -0.32+/-0.22 at five years, not showing a decrease, and the decrease in ISS was statistically not significant(P> or =0.05). CONCLUSION: Both groups exhibited significant increase in Ht SDS through growth hormone treatment, proving its efficacy. As for the evaluation of growth-related factors, the 1st year increase of Ht SDS was the most important factor in evaluation of growth effect in both groups. However, further study is required to investigate the effect of GH therapy on ISS.
Body Height ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Growth Hormone* ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans

PURPOSE: Early identification of causative agents in lower respiratory infection of pediatric patients can reduce morbidity and prevent an overuse of antimicrobials. Two kinds of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a commercial shell vial viral culture were performed to identify causative agents in pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nasopharyngeal aspirates of 220 children diagnosed with viral pneumonia were obtained. Two kinds of multiplex PCR (Seeplextrade mark RV detection kit, and Labopasstrade mark RV detection kit), and a shell vial culture by R-Mix were performed. RESULTS: Positive samples from 220 total samples by two multiplex PCRs were 52.7% and 46.4%, respectively. We also cultured 103 samples that showed positive results of the adenovirus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by two multiplex PCR. The RSV was most frequently detected in 53.0% (Seeplex) and 51.7% (Labopass) of patients. The detection rate of adenovirus (AdV) was 10.3% and 12.1%, influenza virus (IFV) A and B was 12.5% and 3.4%, and parainfluenza virus (PIFV) 1, 2, and 3 were 2.9% and 2.6%. Shell vial cultures showed concordant results with each multiplex PCR by 96.1% and 77.7%, respectively. Sequencing results were 90% consistent with multiplex PCR. CONCLUSION: Multiplex PCR showed more positivity than the shell vial culture and it can be an effective primary test. Other complementary efforts such as viral cultures and sequencing analysis could be considered, according to clinical and laboratory conditions.
Adenoviridae/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Orthomyxoviridae/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Pneumonia, Viral/*virology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/*methods ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Respirovirus/genetics/*isolation & purification

PURPOSE: Antivenin is a standard therapy in snakebite victims. While the required antivenin dose can be easily estimated, based on the initial symptoms, this strategy may be unsuccessful if the initial symptoms progressively worsen. The purpose of this study was to identify the progression rate of the initial symptoms following snakebite and its associated factors. METHODS: The medical records of 44 patients treated for snakebite from give the actual dates of the study period were retrospectively examined. Thirty-two of these patients were enrolled. Demographic data, local wound grade and local effect score at initial presentation (G-0 and LES-0, respectively) and 12 hours after admission (G-12 and LES-12, respectively) were reviewed, along with laboratory data. RESULTS: The 32 patients had an average age of 54.0+/-14.5 years and were predominantly male (n=26) and presented mainly during summer. Compared to G-0 and LES-0, re-evaluated G-12 and LES-12 were significantly increased despite initial administration of proper antivenin dosage (p=0.001 and p=0.000, respectively). Total amounts of antivenin correlated with LES-12 (correlation co-efficiency 0.558, p<0.05). However, factors associated with symptom progression were not revealed. CONCLUSION: Initial snakebite symptoms might progressively worsen within hours despite acceptable initial antivenin therapy. Therefore, re-evaluation within several hours must be considered if when the initial snakebite symptoms are minimal or mild.
Antivenins ; Chronology as Topic ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Snake Bites

PURPOSE: Growth patterns of colorectal carcinomas can be divided into polypoid growth (PG) and nonpolypoid growth (NPG). This study was intended to find characteristic clinicopathologic features and the expression status of p53, p21, and p16 with relation to growth patterns in colorectal carcinomas. METHODS: Sixty-one surgically resected colorectal carcinomas including 43 PG and 18 NPG carcinomas were reviewed in this study. Immunohistochemical stains for p53, p21, and p16 were done, and the results were analyzed with respect to growth patterns, and other prognosic parameters. RESULTS: PG carcinomas were significantly correlated with adenoma (p=0.0001), and with favorable histology group (p=0.04). On the contrary, NPG carcinomas were significantly correlated with unfavorable histology group (p=0.04). In NPG carcinomas, the frequency of positive expression of p53 was higher and the expression of p16 was lower than that of PG carcinomas. But there was no statistical significance (p=0.150, 0.210 respectively). The expression of p21 has no difference between NPG and PG carcinomas (p=0.953). CONCLUSIONS: As a result, it can be thought that the tendency of higher expression of p53 and lower expression of p16 in NPG carcinomas than in PG carcinomas may suggest more aggressive biologic behavior of NPG carcinomas.
Adenoma ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Coloring Agents ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy on endometrial thickness in postmenopausal women and to assess the difference in endometrial thickness by the type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endometrial thickness was measured in 258 postmenopausal women before and/or during 12 months of HRT. The subjects were grouped into the sequential therapy group (Group 1, 72 women) and continuous combined therapy group (Group 2, 186 women). Group 1 received 0.625 mg of conjugate equine estrogen (CEE) daily with cyclic addition of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA, 10 mg/day for 12 days per month). Group 2 received 0.625 mg of CEE with daily addition of MPA (2.5 mg/day). RESULTS: The sequential group showed no significant change in endometrial thickness during HRT compared to that before HRT. However, a significant increase in endometrial thickness was found in the continuous combined group at 12 months of treatment. Before HRT, the endometrial thickness in the continuous combined group was thinner than that of the sequential group. During 12 months of treatment, there was no difference in endometrial thickness between the types of HRT. And the proportion of patients with endometrial thickness of 8mm or greater at 12 months of treatment did not differ significantly from that before treatment in both groups. CONCLUSION: Sequential HRT did not influence the endometrial thickness during treatment. However, continuous combined HRT increased the endometrial thickness during 12 months of treatment compared to that before treatment. The different endometrial responses to each HRT regimen may be due to the difference in endometrial thickness before treatment in each group.
Estrogens ; Female ; Hormone Replacement Therapy* ; Humans ; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate

PURPOSE: Recently, after patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation in preterm infants, unexplained hemodynamic instabilities are reported. To determine the incidence, risk factors and clinical manifestations of hemodynamic instability after PDA ligation in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study enrolled 18 VLBW infants who underwent PDA ligation from January 2002 to February 2008. Hemodynamic instability defined as unexplained cardiopulmonary dysfunction with increased dependency on mechanical ventilation and decreased blood pressure. RESULTS: The mean gestational age and birth weight (BW) of all infants were 27(+)6+/-1(+6) weeks and 951+/-245 g. Hemodynamic instability group (HI) included seven infants (39%) and hemodynamic stability group (HS) included 11 infants (61%). Compared to HS, HI had lower BW (1,033+/-285 g vs. 821+/-126 g, P=0.048) and weight on operation day (1,195+/-404 g vs. 893+/-151 g, P=0.042), longer hospital days (105+/-29 vs. 141+/-39, P=0.038), more severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), (no/mild/moderate/severe, 2/5/2/2 vs. 0/1/2/4, P=0.038) and higher preoperative FiO2 (0.29+/-0.06 vs. 0.38+/-0.09, P=0.02). One case of mortality due to sepsis, which was not associated with ligation, was observed among HS. CONCLUSION: The incidence of hemodynamic instability after PDA ligation in VLBW infants was 39%. Low BW, low weight on operation day and preoperative high FiO2 might be risk factors of hemodynamic instability after PDA ligation in VLBW infants. The hemodynamic instability could increase the severity of BPD and hospital days.
Birth Weight ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Dependency (Psychology) ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Gestational Age ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Ligation ; Premature Birth ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis

PURPOSE: Recently, after patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation in preterm infants, unexplained hemodynamic instabilities are reported. To determine the incidence, risk factors and clinical manifestations of hemodynamic instability after PDA ligation in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study enrolled 18 VLBW infants who underwent PDA ligation from January 2002 to February 2008. Hemodynamic instability defined as unexplained cardiopulmonary dysfunction with increased dependency on mechanical ventilation and decreased blood pressure. RESULTS: The mean gestational age and birth weight (BW) of all infants were 27(+)6+/-1(+6) weeks and 951+/-245 g. Hemodynamic instability group (HI) included seven infants (39%) and hemodynamic stability group (HS) included 11 infants (61%). Compared to HS, HI had lower BW (1,033+/-285 g vs. 821+/-126 g, P=0.048) and weight on operation day (1,195+/-404 g vs. 893+/-151 g, P=0.042), longer hospital days (105+/-29 vs. 141+/-39, P=0.038), more severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), (no/mild/moderate/severe, 2/5/2/2 vs. 0/1/2/4, P=0.038) and higher preoperative FiO2 (0.29+/-0.06 vs. 0.38+/-0.09, P=0.02). One case of mortality due to sepsis, which was not associated with ligation, was observed among HS. CONCLUSION: The incidence of hemodynamic instability after PDA ligation in VLBW infants was 39%. Low BW, low weight on operation day and preoperative high FiO2 might be risk factors of hemodynamic instability after PDA ligation in VLBW infants. The hemodynamic instability could increase the severity of BPD and hospital days.
Birth Weight ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Dependency (Psychology) ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Gestational Age ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Ligation ; Premature Birth ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis