BACKGROUND: This prospective cohort study was carried out to investigate the relation of lifestyle variables to total mortality in residents aged 60-64 of a rural community in Korea. METHODS: A total of 1,042 residents was interviewed by face-to-face survey for baseline data collection in 1996 and 955 residents were successfully followed up until April 2002, among which 91 died. RESULTS: In univariate logistic regression, consumption of cigarette per day, duration of smoking, status of smoking, frequency of drinking per month, status of drinking, average duration of TV watching per day and average duration of sleeping were statistically significant, predicting total mortality. None of the variables reflecting leisure-time physical activities were statistically significant. Adjusting for sex, age, education, current as well as past chronic diseases history, and limitation of daily living with multiple logistic regression, those smoking more than 40 years and current smokers showed reduced, but statistically significant RRs, 1.89 (95% CI 1.05-3.41) and 1.82 (95% CI 1.01-3.25), respectively. Sleeping more than 10 hours a day showed RR, 2.41 (95% CI 1.11-5.22). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that some lifestyle variables, smoking and sleeping were predictive of total mortality while drinking, TV watching and leisure-time physical activities were not.
Chronic Disease ; Cohort Studies* ; Data Collection ; Drinking ; Education ; Korea ; Life Style* ; Logistic Models ; Mortality* ; Motor Activity ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tobacco Products

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the incidence and ratio of biphalangeal toes in Korean adult and to investigate whether this finding correlates with the evolution of human toes. METHOD: The materials used in this study consisted of 1,290 radiographs of the human feet obtained from 645 adults with foot symptom and complete osseous growth. The 1,290 radiographs consisted of anteroposterior weightbearing radiographs and nonweightbearing oblique radiographs. Those were retrospectively reviewed and carried out of detailed macroscopic examinations. RESULTS: Biphalangeal toe was observed for the 5th toe in 934 cases (72.40%), for the 4th toe in 161 cases (12.48%), for the 3rd toe in 7 cases (0.54%), and for the 2nd toe in 1 case (0.08%). Bilaterality of biphalangeal and triphalangeal toes for each toe was observed over 97.1%. CONCLUSION: Our results are in agreement with Nakashima and it is likely that over 70% of the Asian population have only two phalanges in their fifth toes, and it seems to be an example of microevolution or genetic adaptation to bipedalism.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Foot* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Retrospective Studies ; Toes* ; Weight-Bearing

OBJECTIVE: To analyze gender differences in adult foot shape with 3D foot scanner METHOD: Subjects included 1,107 feet of 872 healthy volunteers (male: 325, female: 547) without foot deformity. Total 23 foot parameters (foot length, inside joint length, outside joint length, ball girth, ball width, grading point length, vamp height, vamp length, waist girth point length, waist point length, waist height, waist girth, instep girth point length, instep point length, instep height, instep girth, short heel girth, long heel girth, throat opening, vamp waist angle, waist instep angle, instep-vamp height ratio, instep- ball girth ratio) were measured with 3D foot scanner. Univariate t-test was used to assess significant differences between men and women for each foot parameter, standardized to stature and foot length. RESULTS: For a given stature, 20 of 23 foot parameters were greater in men than women (p<0.05). For a given foot length, 13 of 23 foot parameters were greater in men than women (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that female feet were different from male feet in a number of shape characteristics. These differences should be taken into account in the manufacture of women's shoes.
Adult* ; Female ; Foot Deformities ; Foot* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Heel ; Humans ; Joints ; Male ; Pharynx ; Shoes

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of light intensity variation on the polymerization rate of composite resin using IB system (the experimental equipment designed by Dr. IB Lee) by which real-time volumetric change of composite can be measured. METHODS: Three commercial composite resins [Z100(Z1), AeliteFil(AF), SureFil(SF)] were photopolymerized with Variable Intensity Polymerizer unit (Bisco, U.S.A.) under the variable light intensity (75/150/225/300/375/450mW2) during 20 sec. Polymerization shrinkage of samples was detected continuously by IB system during 110 sec and the rate of polymerization shrinkage was obtained by its shrinkage data. Peak time(P.T.) showing the maximum rate of polymerization shrinkage was used to compare the polymerization rate. RESULTS: Peak time decreased with increasing light intensity(p<0.05). Maximum rate of polymerization shrinkage increased with increasing light intensity(p<0.05). Statistical analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between peak time and inverse square root of the light intensity (AF:R=0.965, Z1:R=0.974, SF:R=0.927). Statistical analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between the maximum rate of polymerization shrinkage and peak time(AF:R=-0.933, Z1:R=-0.892, SF:R=-0.883), and a significant positive correlation between the maximum rate of polymerization shrinkage and square root of the light intensity (AF:R=0.988, Z1:R=0.974, SF:R=0.946). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The polymerization rate of composite resins used in this study was proportional to the square root of light intensity. Maximum rate of polymerization shrinkage as well as peak time can be used to compare the polymerization rate. Real-time volume method using IB system can be a simple, alternative method to obtain the polymerization rate of composite resins.
Composite Resins ; Equipment Design ; Light ; Polymerization ; Polymers

OBJECTIVE: To find the most effective lever-point to manufacture the rocker-outsole. METHOD: Ten healthy men were participated. Metatarsal-bar, 12x1x0.5 cm, was clung to the outsole of shoes. In the first experimental-group, we set the center of the metatarsal- bar to an imaginary line which across the center of the 1st metatarsal head with that of the 5th metatarsal head. In turns, we experimented the other groups as moved the center of the metatarsal-bar 0.5 cm backwards, each naming 2nd, 3rd, 4th group. Plantar peak pressures were measured at T0 (whole foot), M1 (heel), M2 (midfoot), M3 (1st, 2nd metatarsal area), M4 (3rd, 4th, 5th metatarsal area), M5 (great toe), M6 (2nd, 3rd toe) and M7 (4th, 5th toe). RESULTS: There was significant decrease in the peak pressure of M3 in the first experimental-group, which the center of metatarsal-bar was set to an imaginary line. CONCLUSION: In the first experimental-group, there was significant decrease in the peak pressure of M3. Therefore, the lever-point of rocker-outsole should be set to an imaginary line which connects the center of the 1st metatarsal head with that of the 5th metatarsal head.
Head ; Humans ; Male ; Metatarsal Bones ; Shoes

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the relation of leg length discrepancy on ankle muscle strength. METHOD: Twenty four adult women were tested (12 leg length equality and 12 leg length discrepancy). Leg length was measured by tape ruler from anterior superior iliac spine to medial malleolus, three times by three different trained examiners. The muscle strength (bilateral ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors) was measured by using Cybex 340 dynamometer at 30 degree/sec and 120 degree/sec. RESULTS: The mean value of leg length discrepancy was 0.89+/-0.24 cm. In leg length discrepancy group, the peak torque of ankle plantarflexor were 44.50+/-20.94 Nm in long leg and 51.83+/-12.75 Nm in short leg at 30 degree/sec angular velocity (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We concluded that there were significant increase in plantar flexor peak torques of short leg than those of long legs at 30 degree/sec (P<0.05). Perhaps the difference of the muscle strength might be due to compensatory mechanism of short leg in propulsion during gait.
Adult ; Ankle* ; Female ; Gait ; Humans ; Leg* ; Muscle Strength ; Spine ; Torque

Concha bullosa is defined as the pneumatization of intranasal turbinates (superior, middle, or inferior). Inferior concha bullosa (ICB) is a very rare condition and it can cause nasal obstruction that needs surgery. In the English-Language literature, there are 3 reported unilateral ICB and 2 bilateral ICB. We experienced a case of unilateral ICB which was associated with septal deviation, chronic rhinosinusitis and nasophryngeal inverted papilloma. ICB was diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) showing pneumatization of inferior and middle turbinate on the right side in the coronal and axial plane. There have not been any reports of inferior concha bullosa in the last ten years in Korea. We report this case with a review of literature.
Korea ; Nasal Obstruction ; Papilloma, Inverted ; Turbinates

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients who were referred for a disability assessment and identify the factors affecting their HRQOL. METHOD: The referral group was consisted of 117 patients who visited the rehabilitation outpatient clinic for an assessment of the disability. The non-referral group was consisted of 468 patients who visited for being treated for an illness. The control group was consisted of 410 healthy adults who had no illness. Subjects were interviewed using the questionnaire including age, sex, educational level, marital status, employment status and monthly income. The HRQOL of all subjects was measured by the Korean version of the medical outcome study 36-item short-form health survey (KSF-36). The correlation between KSF-36 score and all variables was analyzed and KSF-36 score of each group was compared with those of others. In the referral group, KSF-36 score was analyzed by all variables. RESULTS: The physical and mental component summary in the referral group were significantly lower than other groups. In the referral group, there were moderate positive correlations between monthly income and all KSF-36 scores, between employment status and physical component scores. And also there was a significant difference of almost all of component scores according to employment status and monthly income. CONCLUSION: The HRQOL of the referral group was significantly lower than those of non-referral and normal control groups. The social factors like employment status and monthly income would be affecting factors on HRQOL of the referral group.
Adult ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Employment ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Referral and Consultation

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to measure plantar foot pressure and to make comparison of plantar foot pressure between measurements with and without ballet shoes. METHOD: Sixty six feet of healthy ballerinas were evaluated by Footscan plate and Foot scan Pro 4.5 program to analyze plantar foot pressure. We measured plantar foot pressure with and without ballet shoes respectively. The foot was divided into 7 different points on the basis of each metatarsal bone head, 1st toe, and heel. Also total plantar foot pressure was measured. RESULTS: There were no difference in plantar foot pressure between with and without ballet shoes. The highest pressure point of plantar foot in all subjects is the heel with ballet shoes and the great toe without ballet shoes. And the highest pressure point of plantar foot in skilled ballerinas is the great toe with and without ballet shoes. Also the highest pressure point of plantar foot in unskilled ballerinas is the heel with ballet shoes and the second metatarsal head without ballet shoes. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the ballerinas may need the protective ballet shoes.
Foot* ; Head ; Heel ; Metatarsal Bones ; Shoes* ; Toes ; Walking*

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the effect of calcitonin injection relieving pain in ovariectomized rats. METHOD: Thirty five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups (high dose calcitonin group (112 U/ Kg), low dose calcitonin group (56 U/Kg), free calcitonin group, ovariectomy group, control group). To assess the pain in ovariectomized rats, the tail of rats were dived in waters of 50+/-1degrees C. Then the tail withdrawal time was measured (tail withdrawal test). The tail withdrawal test was performed in once a week for eight weeks. RESULTS: 1. At seven and eight weeks after injection, the tail withdrawal time of high and low dose calcitonin group compared with that of ovariectomy group were significantly prolonged (p<0.05). 2. At eight weeks after injection, the tail withdrawal time of free calcitonin group compared with that of ovariectomy group was significantly prolonged (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The effect of calcitonin injection relieving pain in ovariectomized rats was found.
Animals ; Calcitonin* ; Control Groups ; Female ; Ovariectomy ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tail ; Water