SUMMARY: Steroid hormone is known to cause the dynamic changes of mammalian uterus during reproductive cycle, which are modulated via hypothalamus-pituitary -gonad reproductive endocrine axis. Although there were so many studies about estrogenic regulation of uterine growth and differentiation. There is little information about the effect of estrogen on the expression of various transcription factors involved in gene expression. Thus the present study was designed to demonstrate E induced expression of c-fos, c-jun, hsp25 mRNA in rat uterus. Employing Northern blot analysis, we studied the temporal expressions of c-fos, c-jun, and hsp25 messenger RNAs (mNAs) elicited by a single 17beta-estradiol(E) treatment in the uteri of bilaterally ovariectomized adult rats. c-fos, c-jun, and hsp25 mRNA levels were increased and peaked at 3 h after E administration, and then c-fos and c-jun mRNA levels were rapidly decreased to basal control level while, increased hsp25 mRNA levels were sustained till 12 h post E treatment. To test the estrogenic effect on the increase of c-fos, c-jun, and hsp25 mRNA levels, we also examined the effects of antiestrogen (tamoxifen). Pretreatment with tamoxifen effectively blocked the E-induced increase of c-fos, c-jun, and hsp25 mRNA levels at 3 h post E treatment. Present results suggest that transient increase of c-fos and c-jun protooncogene mRNA at the early time and simultaneous expression of hsp25 mRNA contribute to the response of uterine tissues to E in adult female rats.
Adult ; Animals ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Blotting, Northern ; Estradiol* ; Estrogen Receptor Modulators ; Estrogens ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Heat-Shock Proteins* ; Hot Temperature* ; Humans ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger* ; Tamoxifen ; Transcription Factors ; Uterus*

Steroid hormone is known to cause the dynamic changes of mammalian uterus during reproductive cycle. However there is little information about the effect of estrogen (E) and progesterone (P) on the expression of various transcription factors involved in gene expression. Thus the present study was designed to demonstrate E and/or P-induced expression of c-Fos, CREB, ATF and HSP70 in rat uterus. Rats, ovariectomized (OVX) for two weeks, were divided into 6 experimental groups, 1) OVX, 2) OVX+V, 3) OVX+E, 4) OVX+P, 5) OVX+E+V, 6) OVX+E+P, and western blotting assay for nuclear extract and immunohistochemical staining were carried out for each experimental group. Treatment of E (10microgram) showed to increase the expression of c-Fos, CREB, ATF, and HSP70, and maximal expression was occured at 3~6 hr after E administration. P (1mg) also increased, but much less than E, the expression of c-Fos, ATF, and HSP70. However, P did not reveal any effect on the expression CREB. P treatment 4 hr after E injection decreased c-Fos, CREB, and ATF expression, but did not show any change in the E-induced HSP70 expression. In immunohistochemical study c-Fos-, CREB-, and ATF-immunoreactivities were conficed to the cells of luminal epithelium of uterine endometrium. These results suggest that proliferation and differentiation of rat uterus during reproductive cycle may mediated via expression of transcription factors, such as c-Fos, CREB, ATF, and HSP70.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Endometrium ; Epithelium ; Estrogens ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Phenobarbital ; Progesterone ; Rats* ; Transcription Factors ; Uterus*

Twenty-six renal allograft biopsies which showed acute rejection and had renal capsule and medulla in the same specimen were selected in order to compare the severity of acute rejection between superficial cortex, deep cortex and medulla. Disregarding the mid cortical region, the superficial cortex was considered as being one-third of the distance from the renal capsule to the medulla and the deep cortex as being that one-third of the cortex which was adjacent to the medulla. Using semiquantitative histologic analysis the following parameters were compared in superficial cortex, deep cortex, and medulla: interstitial inflammation, edema, tubulitis, and acute tubulointerstitial rejection grade. Also, the presence of lymphocyte activation and polymorphonuclear leukocytes was evaluated. Significantly greater histologic changes of acute rejection were found in the deep cortex vs. superficial cortex for the following parameters: interstitial inflammation(P=0.013), edema (P= 0.023) and tubulointerstitial rejection grade(P=0.016). These findings support the view that biopsies in which deep cortex is not included may result in underestimation of the severity of renal allograft rejection.
Allografts* ; Biopsy* ; Edema ; Graft Rejection ; Inflammation ; Kidney Transplantation ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Neutrophils

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the association of work-related musculoskeletal neck symptom and occupational risk factors, and to identify the dose-response relationships between work-related musculoskeletal neck symptom and physical condition. METHODS: Workers from four metal industry companies were enrolled in the study. General characteristics, psyhcosocial and physical risk factors and work-related musculoskeletal neck symptom were investigated by questionnaire in the baseline study. At the follow-up study 2 years later, the neck symptom was surveyed. Workers who did not complain neck symptom at baseline and complain at follow-up, and workers who did complain neck symptom at baseline and follow-up were defined as case. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of physical risk factors were estimated for these subjects. Additionally, subjects who did not change their work at follow-up were analysed. RESULTS: Among the cohort of 251, 199 (79.3%) were used in the analysis, of which 71 (35.7%) were classified as cases. The adjusted ORs and the ORs of the subjects who did not change their work were increased with exposure to the following kinds of work: 'repetitive', 'lift', 'push/pull', 'neck/shoulder (overhead/bend)', 'hand/wrist (bend/pinch)', 'trunk (twist/bend)', 'pressure point', and 'incentive work'. Finally, with increasing exposure to 'repetitive', 'lift', 'push/pull', 'awkward postures', 'pressure point', and 'incentive work', the risks of work-related musculoskeletal neck symptom were increased. CONCLUSIONS: Work-related musculoskeletal neck symptom was increased with increasing exposure time of certain physical risk factors, and a dose-response relationship was observed.
Cohort Studies ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Neck* ; Odds Ratio ; Questionnaires ; Risk Factors*

Purpose: Overall 5-year survival rates for colon and rectal cancer reported recently by the American Cancer Society were 89%, 90% for localized disease, 71%, 71% for regional disease, and 14%, 15% for distant disease. But the results of survival rate of colorectal cancer in a single institution were very rare. The aim of this study is to evaluate surgical results and survival rates of colorectal cancer. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study with patients who underwent curative resection for a primary colorectal adenocarcinoma between 2009 and 2018. Results: Five-year overall and disease-free survival were 79.5% and 69.9%, respectively. The overall 5-year survival by stages was 94.7% in stage I, 88.4% in stage II, 74.3% in stage III and 31.5% in stage IV. Five-year disease-free survival was 91% in stage I, 79.8% in stage II, 63.3% in stage III, and 18.9% in stage IV. The overall 5-year survival in rectal cancer was superior to colon cancer (P=0.014) while there was no difference in 5-year disease-free survival (P=0.338). Overall survival in female patients was better than male patient (P=0.029). Overall survival by age was worst in group of less than 40 years old (62.5%), and best in group between 41 and 65 years old (86.5%). Postoperative mortality within 30 days was 0.4%, and the recurrence rate was 19.2%. Conclusion With the development of surgical skills and various treatments, postoperative outcome of colorectal cancer is expected to improve. It may be helpful for surgeons to improve their surgical outcomes when they review their data and conduct active researches.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, asbestos-related chest radiograph abnormalities and abnormal pulmonary function tests among former asbestos textile factory workers and to reveal the related factors of these abnormal findings. METHODS: There were 119 persons former asbestos textile industry workers registered in the health management pocketbook. Of 97 retired asbestos workers living in Busan, Yangsan and Gimhae, 63(64.9%) retired asbestos workers were enrolled into this study. The researchers administered questionnaires, and performed chest radiographys, and pulmonary function tests (PFT) on participants. The survey was conducted during July, 2009. RESULTS: Among former workers the number of lung fibrosis, pleural plaque, pleural calcification, and pleural thickening was 13(20.6%), 6(9.5%), 3(4.8%), and 1(1.6%) in chest radiography, respectively. Asbestos-related disorders and abnormal pulmonary function test groups had higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms. Participants with crocidolite exposure or long latency period had higher asbestos-related x-ray findings or abnormal PFT findings. CONCLUSIONS: Former asbestos textile workers had a high rate of asbestos-related disorders. Workers with crocidolite exposure or having had a longer latency period had more asbestos-related disorders. Because gradual increase of asbestos related disorders among high asbestos exposure group is expected, sustained, and intensive management is needed for these former workers.
Asbestos ; Asbestos, Crocidolite ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Latency Period (Psychology) ; Lung ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Retirement ; Textile Industry ; Textiles ; Thorax

Background: This study aimed to determine the effect of specific working postures on the development of varicose veins (VV). By using Korea's National Health Insurance (NHI) and National Employment Insurance (NEI) data, we analyzed the general characteristic and difference in proportions of VV cases according to occupational working posture. Methods: From the NEI and NHI data, participant demographics, such as gender, age, body mass index, and number of workers in specific occupations or industries were obtained.We classified the 240 occupations into blue-collar (BC) and white-collar (WC) occupations and subdivided them into standing, sitting, and walking groups according to the dominant working posture. Results: The number of VV patients per 100,000 individuals increased with age, with a higher number of women than men and a higher number of patients in the BC than WC groups. For the BC group, the proportion of VV cases was the highest in the standing group, followed by the walking and sitting groups, but there was no significant difference between standing and walking groups in man. For the WC group, the standing group had a higher proportion of VV cases than the sitting group, but there was no significant difference between the standing and sitting group in man. In the BC group, the proportion of VV cases was the highest among medical and welfare-related elementary workers, bakers and cookie makers, automobile assemblers, cleaning and guarding-related elemental workers, and nurses and dental hygienists. In the WC group, the proportion of VV cases was the highest among food/ lodging/tourism/entertainment/sports-related managers, environment/cleaning/protective services-related managers, finance and insurance clerks, accounting book-keeping clerks, and social welfare and counseling professionals. Conclusions This study was performed to determine the characteristics of VV with different working posture among Korean workers. It is expected to be the basis of further studies on occupational musculoskeletal diseases.

Background: This study aimed to determine the effect of specific working postures on the development of varicose veins (VV). By using Korea's National Health Insurance (NHI) and National Employment Insurance (NEI) data, we analyzed the general characteristic and difference in proportions of VV cases according to occupational working posture. Methods: From the NEI and NHI data, participant demographics, such as gender, age, body mass index, and number of workers in specific occupations or industries were obtained.We classified the 240 occupations into blue-collar (BC) and white-collar (WC) occupations and subdivided them into standing, sitting, and walking groups according to the dominant working posture. Results: The number of VV patients per 100,000 individuals increased with age, with a higher number of women than men and a higher number of patients in the BC than WC groups. For the BC group, the proportion of VV cases was the highest in the standing group, followed by the walking and sitting groups, but there was no significant difference between standing and walking groups in man. For the WC group, the standing group had a higher proportion of VV cases than the sitting group, but there was no significant difference between the standing and sitting group in man. In the BC group, the proportion of VV cases was the highest among medical and welfare-related elementary workers, bakers and cookie makers, automobile assemblers, cleaning and guarding-related elemental workers, and nurses and dental hygienists. In the WC group, the proportion of VV cases was the highest among food/ lodging/tourism/entertainment/sports-related managers, environment/cleaning/protective services-related managers, finance and insurance clerks, accounting book-keeping clerks, and social welfare and counseling professionals. Conclusions This study was performed to determine the characteristics of VV with different working posture among Korean workers. It is expected to be the basis of further studies on occupational musculoskeletal diseases.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate the association between work ability and job stress factors in three manufacturing industries. METHODS: The data were gathered from 705 workers of 3 manufacturing industries, from August 2007 to January 2008. A structured, self-reported questionnaire was used to access the demographic, socioeconomic and work related characteristics. Work ability and job stress factors were determined using two questionnaires: the work ability index (WAI) of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS), respectively. RESULTS: According to the logistic regression analysis results, WAI was related to job stress factors after adjustment for age, shift work, employment type and exercise. Of the eight subscales, job demand, interpersonal conflict, lack of reward, occupational climate and total score were significantly associated with WAI. In the analysis of each factory, interpersonal conflict, job insecurity and lack of reward were significantly associated with WAI in factory II, and organizational system, lack of reward and total score in factory III, but there was no significant association in factory I. CONCLUSIONS: Job stress factors were significantly associated with WAI in two of the three manufacturing industries. Further and more detailed study needs to be conducted to reduce the job stress and improve the work ability.
Climate ; Employment ; Logistic Models ; Occupational Health ; Questionnaires ; Reward

BACKGROUND: Cabergoline is typically effective for treating prolactinomas; however, some patients display cabergoline resistance, and the early characteristics of these patients remain unclear. We analyzed early indicators predicting long-term response to cabergoline. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 44 patients with macroprolactinomas who received cabergoline as first-line treatment; the patients were followed for a median of 16 months. The influence of various clinical parameters on outcomes was evaluated. RESULTS: Forty patients (90.9%) were treated medically and displayed tumor volume reduction (TVR) of 74.7%, a prolactin normalization (NP) rate of 81.8%, and a complete response (CR; TVR >50% with NP, without surgery) rate of 70.5%. Most patients (93.1%) with TVR > or =25% and NP at 3 months eventually achieved CR, whereas only 50% of patients with TVR > or =25% without NP and no patients with TVR <25% achieved CR. TVR at 3 months was strongly correlated with final TVR (R=0.785). Patients with large macroadenomas exhibited a low NP rate at 3 months, but eventually achieved TVR and NP rates similar to those of patients with smaller tumors. Surgery independently reduced the final dose of cabergoline (beta=-1.181 mg/week), and two of four patients who underwent surgery were able to discontinue cabergoline. CONCLUSION: Determining cabergoline response using TVR and NP 3 months after treatment is useful for predicting later outcomes. However, further cabergoline administration should be considered for patients with TVR >25% at 3 months without NP, particularly those with huge prolactinomas, because a delayed response may be achieved. As surgery can reduce the cabergoline dose necessary for successful disease control, it should be considered for cabergoline-resistant patients.
Dopamine ; Humans ; Hyperprolactinemia ; Prolactin ; Prolactinoma* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tumor Burden