Background: South Korean on-site workers in the public sector, fully covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, often perform hazardous tasks. However, their status and injury rates remain poorly documented. This study aimed to analyze changes in injury rates and the proportion of work-related diseases (WRDs) among on-site workers in basic local governments (BLGs) following workforce reductions between 2016 and 2018. Methods: Data from two sources provided by the Ministry of Employment and Labor were analyzed: organizational data on the number of on-site workers, and cases of injuries, deaths, and diseases among on-site workers in 226 BLGs from 2016 to 2018; and workers’ compensation claims data (individual data) for on-site workers in BLGs during the same period. Injury, mortality, and disease incidence rates were calculated and compared between BLGs with increased and decreased workforce. The proportion of WRDs among all the injuries was also examined. Results: The total number of on-site workers in BLGs decreased by 18.1% in 2018 compared with 2016. The injury rate increased from 0.46% in 2016 to 0.62% in 2018. BLGs with workforce reductions showed higher injury rates, particularly in those with fewer than 1,000 on-site workers. The proportion of WRDs among all injuries increased by 1.34 times in 2018 compared with 2016. Conclusions Workforce reductions among on-site workers in BLGs are associated with higher injury rates and a great proportion of WRDs. These findings highlight the need for improved occupational safety and health practices within the public sector and serve as an important basis for establishing workforce management and injury prevention policies. However, limitations in the available data made it challenging to identify worker groups particularly vulnerable to WRDs. Further research is needed, as it is critical for the development of effective occupational safety and health policies.

This study investigated the impact of menopause on the progression and management of common benign gynecological conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and adenomyosis. These conditions often present with menstruationrelated symptoms such as irregular cycles, heavy bleeding, and pelvic pain. While these symptoms typically subside after menopause, the underlying pathology of such benign gynecological conditions may be differentially affected by the physiological changes associated with menopause, sometimes leading to exacerbation or additional management challenges. Although rare, the potential for malignant transformation remains a concern. This study aims to elucidate the shifts in management strategies from the reproductive years to postmenopause. It highlights the necessity for a tailored approach to hormone therapy and surgical interventions based on the individual patient’s health profile and the specific characteristics of each condition.

This study investigated the impact of menopause on the progression and management of common benign gynecological conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and adenomyosis. These conditions often present with menstruationrelated symptoms such as irregular cycles, heavy bleeding, and pelvic pain. While these symptoms typically subside after menopause, the underlying pathology of such benign gynecological conditions may be differentially affected by the physiological changes associated with menopause, sometimes leading to exacerbation or additional management challenges. Although rare, the potential for malignant transformation remains a concern. This study aims to elucidate the shifts in management strategies from the reproductive years to postmenopause. It highlights the necessity for a tailored approach to hormone therapy and surgical interventions based on the individual patient’s health profile and the specific characteristics of each condition.

This study investigated the impact of menopause on the progression and management of common benign gynecological conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and adenomyosis. These conditions often present with menstruationrelated symptoms such as irregular cycles, heavy bleeding, and pelvic pain. While these symptoms typically subside after menopause, the underlying pathology of such benign gynecological conditions may be differentially affected by the physiological changes associated with menopause, sometimes leading to exacerbation or additional management challenges. Although rare, the potential for malignant transformation remains a concern. This study aims to elucidate the shifts in management strategies from the reproductive years to postmenopause. It highlights the necessity for a tailored approach to hormone therapy and surgical interventions based on the individual patient’s health profile and the specific characteristics of each condition.

Purpose: To analyze the efficacy and safety of nusinersen in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type I with chronic respiratory failure. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed seven patients diagnosed with SMA type I and chronic respiratory failure who were on permanent ventilation and treated with nusinersen at Gangnam Severance Hospital between January 2018 and July 2023. Patient demographics and clinical characteristics were recorded, and treatment progress was evaluated according to Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE-2) and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Infant Test of Neuromuscular Disorders (CHOP-INTEND) scores. Results: Patients initially developed hypotonia at a mean age of 3.7 months. Mean age at start of nusinersen was 7.3 years; the mean duration of follow-up after starting nusinersen was 46.2 months. At 6-, 18-, 38-, 58-, and 74-month follow-up, the mean changes in CHOP-INTEND scores were 1.0, 2.9, 1.8, 1.5, and 1.5, respectively, and the proportions of patients who showed disease amelioration were 28.6%, 71.4%, 75.0%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. Conclusion Nusinersen is safe and effective in patients with SMA type I, even those with chronic respiratory failure and those on permanent ventilation. No significant adverse effects of nusinersen were observed.

This study aims to explore the impact of distributional changes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection fear with sex differences. A quota sampling strategy was followed and 483 Korean adults were surveyed in a community sample. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess COVID-19 infection fear, depressive symptoms, and general characteristics.Quantile regression was used to explore the regression relationship of COVID-19 infection fear and an individual’s sex. There was a significant difference in COVID-19 infection fear (P= 0.001) and depression (P = 0.008) between the sexes - male and female. The differences between sexes at the 20th and 30th percentiles were significant (β = 2.04, P = 0.006; β = 1.5, P = 0.004, respectively). The results demonstrate that sex significantly predicts COVID-19 infection fear and women had significantly greater fear than men in the mild-level of COVID-19 infection fear.

Background: Unemployment and the consequential mental health issues are emerging as a major social concern. This study aimed to evaluate factors associated with depression and suicidality among unemployed individuals in the Jeju area. Methods: Data from 624 unemployed adults who participated in a community survey were analyzed. Self-report questionnaires were completed by all participants; demographic variables and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were used to assess depression. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview suicidality module was used to obtain information regarding suicidal ideation, suicide plans, and suicide attempts. Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms among the unemployed population in Jeju area was 28.4%. Factors associated with suicidality included age, gender, unemployment period, job application period, and depression. Furthermore, unemployed participants who had an opportunity to receive vocational education had fewer symptoms of depression regardless of the number of vocational education sessions. A multivariate regression model demonstrated that depression (β = 0.51, p<0.001) was significantly correlated with suicidality. Conclusion The findings advance our understanding of the relationship between unemployment and psychological factors such as depression symptoms and suicidality. Further studies are required to determine the underlying mechanisms to aid in the development of preventive and treatment strategies.

Xp21 contiguous gene deletion syndrome is associated with complex glycerol kinase deficiency, congenital adrenal hypoplasia, Duchene muscular dystrophy, and intellectual disability. Xp21 gene deletion syndrome is X-linked recessive, so most symptomatic patients are male, and only a few female symptomatic patients have been reported. We report the first female Korean case of an Xp21 deletion. NGS data were analyzed for copy number variation, and the Xp21 deletion (chr X:29301056-31838200) was confirmed using real-time PCR.

Background/Aims: To investigate if BK virus (BKV)-specific T cell immunity measured by an interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay can predict the outcome of BK virus infection in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Methods: We included 68 KTRs with different viremia status (no viremia [n = 17], BK viremia [n = 27], and cleared viremia [n = 24]) and 44 healthy controls (HCs). The BK viremia group was divided into controller (< 3 months) and noncontroller (> 3 months) according to sustained duration of BKV infection. We compared BKV-ELISPOT results against five BKV peptides (large tumor antigen [LT], St, VP1-3). Results: BKV-ELISPOT results were higher in three KTRs groups with different BKV infection status than the HCs group (p < 0.05). In KTR groups, they were higher in cleared viremia group than no viremia or BK viremia group. Within the BK viremia group, controller group had higher LT-ELISPOT results compared to noncontroller group (p = 0.032). Also, KTRs without BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVN) had higher LT, St, VP1, and VP2-ELISPOT results than those with BKVN (p < 0.05). Conclusions BKV-ELISPOT assay may be effective in predicting clinical outcomes of BKV infection in terms of clearance of BK virus and development of BKVN.