STATEMENT OF PROBLEM & PURPOSE: To study the effect of different fluoridation methods after in-office bleaching on the color of teeth during severe staining with coffee. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 44 specimens were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 (no bleaching, no fluoride, coffee) was served as control for the influence of coffee on the color of untreated teeth. Group 2, 3 and 4 were undergone bleaching with 35% H2O2 for 30 minutes a day on 3 consecutive days. Group 2 was remained without fluoridation. Group 3 and 4 were fluoridated for 1 hour with either Cavity shield(R) or pH 7 Gel(R). All of groups were immersed in coffee solution for 7 days. Color determination was accomplished using the spectrophotometer (VITA Easyshade(R)). RESULTS: Delta L and Delta h increased, whereas Delta C decreased in the bleached groups. Pairwise comparisons with Tukey's HSD showed that there were statistically significant differences for Delta L and Delta h between the bleached groups and the non-bleached group (P < .05). Delta L and Delta h decreased continuously, while DeltaC showed an increase after a decrease in all of groups during immersion in coffee solution. After immersion in coffee solution for 7 days there were no statistically significant differences for Delta L, Delta C and Delta h between the groups (P > .05). Also there were no statistically significant differences for Delta L, Delta C and Delta h between the group 3 treated with Cavity shield(R) and the group 4 treated with pH 7 Gel(R) (P > .05). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that fluoridation was not beneficial to the prevention of extrinsic stains after bleaching.
Coffee ; Coloring Agents ; Fluoridation ; Fluorides ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Immersion ; Tooth

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mental health status of migrant workers. We focused on the relationship between depressive symptoms and job stress. METHEOD: A questionnaire was administered to 488 migrant workers who visited NGO migrant worker centers located in Kyung-gi province. A structured, self-reported questionnaire was used to assess each responder's sociodemographics, work related characteristics, health behaviors, past medical history, job stress and depression symptoms. The job stress questionnaire was used according to KOSS-26 and depression symptoms were measured using CES-D, which was translated into Korean. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to assess the relationship between risk factors included job stress and depression symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression symptoms in survey subjects was 25.2%, but the prevalence of non-Chinese nationalities and illegal workers were 32.1% and 32.8%, respectively. Adjusting for confounding factors, job stress (OR 2.55, 95% CI=1.30-4.99) had a statistical meaningful relationship with depression symptoms. Among job stress domains, physical environment (OR 2.97, 95% CI=1.59-5.53), job demand (OR 2.33, 95% CI=1.26-4.32) and occupational climate(OR 3.10, CI=1.49-6.48) were most likely to experience depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms among the study subjects was similar to the prevalence among the general population in Korea, but higher than that among the Korean workers. In particular, the prevalence among non-Chinese and illegal workers was higher. However, the job stress factor appeared to have a more direct correlation with depressive symptoms than the sociodemographic factors of nationality or residential status. Hence, in order to prevent depressive symptoms of the migrant workers, we believe that intervention on job stress is necessary.
Depression ; Ethnic Groups ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Mental Health ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Transients and Migrants

Acute renal failure in Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), a rare event, is associated with acute tubular necrosis mainly induced by intratubular erythrocytic cast and crescentic glomerulonephropathy (rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis) and the severity paralleled to the degree of glomerular damage. The changes are regarded as those of secondary atrophic response to the glomerular lesions. In that case, renal progression correlates more closely with the severity of tubulointerstitial lesions than with the degree of glomerular lesions in IgAN. Rarely, acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) could develop independently in primary glomerulonephritis. In this case, the severity of tubulointerstitial lesion was out of proportion with damage of glomerular lesion. To the best of our knowledge, we report the first case of a patient with independently developed severe acute TIN complicating IgAN in Korea. A 38-year-old man was admitted with recurrent hematuria. Proteinuria (<1 g) and severe renal failure were noted and hemodialysis was started. In renal biopsy, IgAN associated with acute TIN was diagnosed. He showed good response to steroid therapy and maintained normal renal function after discontinuation of medication.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Adult ; Biopsy ; Glomerulonephritis ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Korea ; Necrosis ; Nephritis, Interstitial ; Proteinuria ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Tin

INTRODUCTION: In human IVF-ET only a few oocytes develop to be good quality embryos depending on the incubation conditions and the quality of ovum and sperm, while the rest show abnormal morphology due to unequal cell division or fragmentation of the cell. Fragmented embryos limit developmental potential and rarely result in implantation. Such abnormal embryo development have been reported to be due to genetic defects or inadequate culture environment. This in-vitro environment differs from in-vivo conditions in that the oxygen concentration is higher(20 %) and in such conditions, the mouse embryos show a higher ROS in simple culture media. ROS is believed to cause damage to the cell membrane and DNA fragmentation in somatic cells. This study was conducted to ascertain the level of ROS within embryos and morphological features of cell damage induced by ROS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 53 human oocytes and embryos(31 fragmented and 10 nonfragmented embryos, 12 unfertilized oocytes) were obtained in IVF-ET programs. The relative intensity of ROS within embryos was reassured using 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCHFDA ; Molecular Probes, USA) by Quanti cell 500(Imaging Co. UK), and DNA fragmentation was observed via TEM(Zeiss EM 902A, Germany) and ApopTag kit(Oncor Co. USA). RESULTS: The ROS levels was significantly higher in fragmented embryos(72.21 +/- 9.62) compared to nonfragmented embryos(31.30 +/- 3.50, p<0.05) and unfertilized oocytes(30.75 +/- 2.67, p<0.05). Apoptosis was only observed in fragmented embryos, and was absent in nonfragmented embryos. Also the DAPI staining showed that the nuclei of fragmented embryos were broken up into irregular shapes, and the EM showed confirmation of apoptotic bodies and cytoplasmic condensation in the fragmented blastomeres. CONCLUSION: We conclude that there is a direct relationship between increased ROS and apoptosis, and that further studies should be undertaken.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Blastomeres ; Cell Division ; Cell Membrane ; Culture Media ; Cytoplasm ; DNA Fragmentation ; Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Humans* ; Mice ; Molecular Probes ; Oocytes ; Ovum ; Oxygen* ; Pregnancy ; Spermatozoa

A 57-year-old female with jaundice and right upper quadrant abdominal pain, was found on exploration to have squamous cell carcinoma of the common bile duct. Squamous cell carcinoma of the common bile duct is a very rare tumor, simulating adenocarcinoma in its clinical presentation and aggressiveness. Although no consistent causative factors for this tumor has been demonstrated, it has been theorized that the normal columnar epithelium of the bile duct under the influence of an inflammatory stimulus, can develop into squamous epithelium with the ongoing process leading to squamous metaplasia, and eventually carcinoma. Cholelithiasis has been implicated as a cause for bile duct cancer, which was manifested in this patient. The prognosis of this carcinoma was grave, despite all forms of surgical and medical management. A case of squamous cell carcinoma of the common bile duct is reported with a review of relevant literature.
Abdominal Pain ; Adenocarcinoma ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; Bile Ducts ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cholelithiasis ; Common Bile Duct* ; Epithelium ; Female ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Metaplasia ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVES: Mindfulness-base cognitive therapy (MBCT) has been used to treat patients with depression to prevent relapse. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of Mindfulness- Base Cognitive Therapy for patients who suffer with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder for 1 year. METHODS: 19 patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder were assigned to receive MBCT for a period of 8 weeks. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used at 0 weeks, 8 weeks and 1 year to assess the results. RESULTS: MBCT demonstrated significantly decreases on all the anxiety scale scores (HAM-A, p=0.00 ; BAI, p=0.00) and depressive scale scores (HAM-D, p=0.00 ; BDI, p=0.00). The patients who received 8-week of MBCT showed a higher remission rate (15/19, 78%) during the 1-year followup period. CONCLUSION: MBCT may be effective at relieving the anxiety and depressive symptoms of patients who suffer with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder for 1 year. However, further well-designed controlled trials are needed to assess the value of MBCT.
Anxiety ; Anxiety Disorders ; Cognitive Therapy ; Depression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Panic ; Panic Disorder ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND: Foundry workers are known to be exposed to silica and have an increased risk of silicosis. There are also reports that state these foundry workers were associated with asbestos-related change in the X-ray results of the lungs. This report discusses a case of localized asbestosis developed in a foundry worker who worked in 12 Korean foundries. CASE REPORT: A 49-year-old man who worked at molding and melting for 30 years, presented with sore throat, cough and yellow sputum for 1 month. From physical and clinical examination, pulmonary tuberculosis was highly suspicious; therefore, he was medicated for 6 months. After tuberculosis medication, the radiological finding was reactivation of tuberculosis, and an asbestos body was detected at a transbronchial lung biopsy. During an operation, operators found multiple palpable masses and bullae localized in the right upper lobe (RUL) and performed right upper lobectomy and right middle lobe wedge resection. Using hematoxylin-eosin stain and iron stain, we could detect asbestos bodies by light microscopy. We analyzed the asbestos fiber burden in dry lung tissue by transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (TEM-EDX). The fiber type was chrysotile and the fiber burden was 23.26x106 fiber/g dry lung. DISCUSSION: This case study of a foundry worker with localized asbestosis is uncommon in Korea. We found an occupational relationship between the foundry worker and localized asbestosis through various investigative techniques such as measurements taken at his working environment, clinical, radiological and pathological examination of the foundry worker and mineralogical examination of the asbestos fiber.
Asbestos ; Asbestos, Serpentine ; Asbestosis ; Biopsy ; Blister ; Cough ; Freezing ; Fungi ; Humans ; Investigative Techniques ; Iron ; Korea ; Light ; Lung ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Middle Aged ; Pharyngitis ; Silicon Dioxide ; Silicosis ; Sputum ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

BACKGROUND: Foundry workers are known to be exposed to silica and have an increased risk of silicosis. There are also reports that state these foundry workers were associated with asbestos-related change in the X-ray results of the lungs. This report discusses a case of localized asbestosis developed in a foundry worker who worked in 12 Korean foundries. CASE REPORT: A 49-year-old man who worked at molding and melting for 30 years, presented with sore throat, cough and yellow sputum for 1 month. From physical and clinical examination, pulmonary tuberculosis was highly suspicious; therefore, he was medicated for 6 months. After tuberculosis medication, the radiological finding was reactivation of tuberculosis, and an asbestos body was detected at a transbronchial lung biopsy. During an operation, operators found multiple palpable masses and bullae localized in the right upper lobe (RUL) and performed right upper lobectomy and right middle lobe wedge resection. Using hematoxylin-eosin stain and iron stain, we could detect asbestos bodies by light microscopy. We analyzed the asbestos fiber burden in dry lung tissue by transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (TEM-EDX). The fiber type was chrysotile and the fiber burden was 23.26x106 fiber/g dry lung. DISCUSSION: This case study of a foundry worker with localized asbestosis is uncommon in Korea. We found an occupational relationship between the foundry worker and localized asbestosis through various investigative techniques such as measurements taken at his working environment, clinical, radiological and pathological examination of the foundry worker and mineralogical examination of the asbestos fiber.
Asbestos ; Asbestos, Serpentine ; Asbestosis ; Biopsy ; Blister ; Cough ; Freezing ; Fungi ; Humans ; Investigative Techniques ; Iron ; Korea ; Light ; Lung ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Middle Aged ; Pharyngitis ; Silicon Dioxide ; Silicosis ; Sputum ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disorder that is both uncomfortable and distressing to patients, and its prevalence has been steadily increasing. It is obvious that the identification of efficient markers of AD in plasma would offer the possibility of effective diagnosis, prevention, and treatment strategies. In this study, a proteomic approach was used to analyze plasma glycoproteins from both children with AD and healthy child donors. Several protein spots showing significant quantitative changes in the AD patients were identified. Through sequential studies, it was confirmed that CD5L and ApoE were significantly up-regulated or down-regulated, respectively, in the plasma from AD patients compared with that from healthy donors. In addition, we suggest that the up-regulated CD5L in AD patients causes eosinophilia by inhibiting apoptosis or promoting the proliferation of eosinophils either in combination with or without IL-5. The glycoproteomic data in this study provides clues to understanding the mechanism of atopic alterations in plasma and suggests AD-related proteins can be used as candidate markers for AD.
Apolipoproteins E/*blood ; Biological Markers/blood ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic/*metabolism ; Eosinophilia/metabolism ; Eosinophils/physiology ; Female ; Glycoproteins/*blood ; Humans ; Interleukin-5/metabolism ; Male ; Proteomics ; Scavenger Receptors, Class B/*blood

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the musculoskeletal symptoms of migrant workers. We focused on the relationship between job stress and musculoskeletal symptoms. METHOD: A questionnaire was administered to 502 migrant workers who visited NGO migrant worker centers located in Gyung-gi province. A structured, self-reported questionnaire was administered to participants in order to capture the following information: sociodemographics, health factors including past medical history, work related characteristics, job stress, and musculoskeletal symptoms. The job stress questionnaires were used according to KOSS-26 and musculoskeletal symptoms were measured using KOSHA Code H-30-2003. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to assess the relationship between risk factors which included job stress, and musculoskeletal symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of musculoskeletal symptoms in survey subjects was 35.1%. Other than job stress factors, past medical history was the only factor that had a statistical relationship to musculoskeletal symptoms (P<0.01). In the domains of job stress, physical environment (OR 1.62, 95% CI: 1.03~2.54), job demand (OR 2.43, 95% CI: 1.46~4.03), job insecurity (OR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.03~2.47), occupational climate (OR 2.30, 95% CI: 1.27~4.19) were most likely experience musculoskeletal symptoms. CONCLUSION: The job stress factor appeared to correlate more with musculoskeletal symptoms than with sociodemographics or other factors. Hence, in order to prevent migrant worker's musculoskeletal symptoms, we believe that intervention in job stress (physical environment, job demand, job insecurity, occupational climate) is necessary.
Climate ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Transients and Migrants