Purpose: This study aimed to investigate differences in perceptions of occupational health management and communication between health managers of partner companies and those of main contractors. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to main contractor health managers and partner company representatives, and the collected data were compared and analyzed using a t-test and a chi-squared test. Results: Partner company representatives generally reported lower perceptions than health managers across most occupational health management items. The largest perception gaps were found in pre-placement health checks, workplace environment measurements and corrective actions, and the establishment of an occupational health management system.For business coordination, face-to-face meetings were most preferred, followed by official letters. Both groups agreed that face-to-face communication was the most effective method for providing health information, with no significant differences. However, for communication with workers, health managers preferred direct meetings, online channels, or individual phone calls, while partner company representatives favored individual phone calls or online group chats. Conclusion Partner companies have characteristics that differ from typical small-scale workplaces, requiring occupational health management and communication methods tailored to these unique features. There is also a need to develop guidelines and policies that partner company representatives can easily understand and implement effectively.

Mental health is influenced by the gut-brain axis; for example, gut dysbiosis has been observed in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).Gut microbial changes by fecal microbiota transplantation or probiotics treatment reportedly modulates depressive symptoms. However, it remains unclear how gut dysbiosis contributes to mental dysfunction, and how correction of the gut microbiota alleviates neuropsychiatric disorders. Our previous study showed that chronic consumption of Lactobacillus reuteri ATG-F4 (F4) induced neurometabolic alterations in healthy mice. Here, we investigated whether F4 exerted therapeutic effects on depressive-like behavior by influencing the central nervous system. Using chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) to induce anhedonia, a key symptom of MDD, we found that chronic F4 consumption alleviated CUS-induced anhedonic behaviors, accompanied by biochemical changes in the gut, serum, and brain. Serum and brain metabolite concentrations involved in tryptophan metabolism were regulated by CUS and F4. F4 consumption reduced the elevated levels of serotonin (5-HT) in the brain observed in the CUS group. Additionally, the increased expression of Htr1a, a subtype of the 5-HT receptor, in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of stressed mice was restored to levels observed in stress-naïve mice following F4 supplementation. We further demonstrated the role of Htr1a using AAV-shRNA to downregulate Htr1a in the mPFC of CUS mice, effectively reversing CUS-induced anhedonic behavior. Together, our findings suggest F4 as a potential therapeutic approach for relieving some depressive symptoms and highlight the involvement of the tryptophan metabolism in mitigating CUS-induced depressive-like behaviors through the action of this bacterium.

Background: Subclinical left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is an emerging consequence of increased insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia is one of the few correctable risk factors of LVDD. This study evaluated the role of mean and visit-to-visit variability of lipid measurements in risk of LVDD in a healthy population. Methods: This was a 3.7-year (interquartile range, 2.1 to 4.9) longitudinal cohort study including 2,817 adults (median age 55 years) with left ventricular ejection fraction >50% who underwent an annual or biannual health screening between January 2008 and July 2016. The mean, standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), variability independent of the mean (VIM), and average real variability of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein B (apoB), non-HDL-C, and triglycerides were obtained from three to six measurements during the 5 years preceding the first echocardiogram. Results: Among the 2,817 patients, 560 (19.9%) developed LVDD. The mean of no component of lipid measurements was associated with risk of LVDD. CV (hazard ratio [HR], 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10 to 1.67), SD (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.57), and VIM (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.55) of LDL-C and all the variability parameters of apoB were significantly associated with development of LVDD. The association between CV-LDL and risk of LVDD did not have significant interaction with sex, increasing/decreasing trend at baseline, or use of stain and/or lipid-modifying agents. Conclusion The variability of LDL-C and apoB, rather than their mean, was associated with risk for LVDD.

Purpose: YoungPEARL (KCSG-BR15-10) trial demonstrated a significant progression-free survival (PFS) benefit for premenopausal patients with hormone receptor–positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative (HR+/HER2–) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) for palbociclib plus exemestane with ovarian function suppression compared to capecitabine. However, the number of tamoxifen-sensitive premenopausal patients was small because most recurrences occurred early during adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET), with tamoxifen being the only drug used; hence, the data for these patients were limited. Here we present a subgroup analysis according to tamoxifen sensitivity from the YoungPEARL study. Materials and Methods Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive palbociclib+ET (oral exemestane 25 mg/day for 28 days, palbociclib 125 mg/day for 21 days, plus leuprolide 3.75 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks) or chemotherapy (oral capecitabine 1,250 mg/m2 twice daily for 14 days every 3 weeks). Tamoxifen resistance was defined as: relapse while on adjuvant tamoxifen, relapse within 12 months of completing adjuvant tamoxifen, or progression while on first-line tamoxifen within 6 months for MBC. Results In total, 184 patients were randomized and 178 were included in the modified intention-to-treat population. PFS improvement in the palbociclib+ET group was observed in tamoxifen-sensitive patients (hazard ratio, 0.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.12 to 1.19). Furthermore, palbociclib+ET prolonged median PFS compared with capecitabine in tamoxifen-sensitive (20.5 months vs. 12.6 months) and tamoxifen-resistant (20.1 months vs. 14.5 months) patients. Palbociclib+ET demonstrated a higher rate of objective response, disease control, and clinical benefit in tamoxifen-sensitive patients. Conclusion This post hoc exploratory analysis suggests that palbociclib+ET is a promising therapeutic option for premenopausal HR+/HER2– MBC patients irrespective of tamoxifen sensitivity.

Objective:To observe the effect of early temperature control on the prognosis of brain injury patients after severe carbon monoxide poisoning (COP).Methods:A total of 277 patients hospitalized with severe COP were randomly divided into a fever group ( n=78), a normal temperature group ( n=113) and a mild hypothermia group ( n=86). All were given hyperbaric oxygen therapy and any necessary supportive treatment. The mild hypothermia group were kept in a room at 34 to 35℃. Evaluation was with the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), version II of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE), the Hasegawa dementia scale (HDS) and the mini mental state examination (MMSE). The incidence of delayed encephalopathy (DEACMP) and mortality were compared among the three groups. The bispectral index (BIS) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels were correlated with DEACMP. Results:After the treatments, improvement was observed in multiple indexes of all three groups compared with before the treatment. Compared with the fever group, the average GCS of the mild hypothermia group was significantly higher on the 2nd, 4th, 8th and 31st day after the intervention. It was significantly higher than the normal temperature group′s averages on the 4th, 8th and 31st day. The average APACHE scores of the normal temperature and the mild hypothermia groups were significantly lower than the fever group′s average, with that of the mild hypothermia group significantly lower than that of the normal group. The average HDS scores of the normal temperature and mild hypothermia groups were significantly higher than the fever group′s average, with that of the mild hypothermia group significantly higher than that of the normal group. The average MMSE score of the mild hypothermia group was significantly improved after 7 days, one month and three months of treatment. That of the normal group showed significant improvement after one and three months, but the mild hypothermia group′s averages were superior. Compared with the fever group, the average BIS score of the mild hypothermia group was significantly better after one, three and seven days, and one month. This was true for the normal group beyond three days after the intervention. The average NSE concentration of the normal group after 7 days and one month was significantly lower than that of the fever group. For the mild hypothermia group this was true after only 3 days. Compared with the other two groups, the average coma time, incidence of DEACMP and nervous system injury were significantly lower in the hypothermia group. The average GCS, BIS and NSE values were closely related to the occurrence of DEACMP.Conclusions:Early temperature control can significantly reduce the severity of brain injury after COP and reduce the incidence of neurological sequelae. Early dynamic detection of GCS, NSE concentration and BIS is of great significance for predicting the incidence of DEACMP.

Purpose: YoungPEARL (KCSG-BR15-10) trial demonstrated a significant progression-free survival (PFS) benefit for premenopausal patients with hormone receptor–positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative (HR+/HER2–) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) for palbociclib plus exemestane with ovarian function suppression compared to capecitabine. However, the number of tamoxifen-sensitive premenopausal patients was small because most recurrences occurred early during adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET), with tamoxifen being the only drug used; hence, the data for these patients were limited. Here we present a subgroup analysis according to tamoxifen sensitivity from the YoungPEARL study. Materials and Methods Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive palbociclib+ET (oral exemestane 25 mg/day for 28 days, palbociclib 125 mg/day for 21 days, plus leuprolide 3.75 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks) or chemotherapy (oral capecitabine 1,250 mg/m2 twice daily for 14 days every 3 weeks). Tamoxifen resistance was defined as: relapse while on adjuvant tamoxifen, relapse within 12 months of completing adjuvant tamoxifen, or progression while on first-line tamoxifen within 6 months for MBC. Results In total, 184 patients were randomized and 178 were included in the modified intention-to-treat population. PFS improvement in the palbociclib+ET group was observed in tamoxifen-sensitive patients (hazard ratio, 0.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.12 to 1.19). Furthermore, palbociclib+ET prolonged median PFS compared with capecitabine in tamoxifen-sensitive (20.5 months vs. 12.6 months) and tamoxifen-resistant (20.1 months vs. 14.5 months) patients. Palbociclib+ET demonstrated a higher rate of objective response, disease control, and clinical benefit in tamoxifen-sensitive patients. Conclusion This post hoc exploratory analysis suggests that palbociclib+ET is a promising therapeutic option for premenopausal HR+/HER2– MBC patients irrespective of tamoxifen sensitivity.

Objective To explore the effect of continuous management of cancer pain patients by group follow-up model. Methods A total of 86 cases of cancer pain patients discharged from oncology department from March to May 2016 were selected and grouped according to the number of inpatients. The control group(44 cases)was treated with conventional intervention, and the experimental group(42 cases) was followed by team follow-up. The cancer pain control effect and quality of life were evaluated in the two groups after 1 month. Results The average degree of pain degree within 24 h in the past pain after intervention respectively was (2.90 ± 0.85) (2.56 ± 0.79) points in the experimental group and (4.17 ± 0.92) (4.00 ± 1.18) points in the control group, there was statistically significant difference between the two groups (t=6.618, 6.492, P < 0.01). The quality of life in physical function, cognitive function, social function, general health level was(66.83 ± 20.02),(69.33 ± 15.45),(61.17 ± 16.50),(63.83 ± 17.93)points in the experimental group,(27.83 ± 11.97),(36.17 ± 16.24),(26.14 ± 17.29),(28.23 ± 17.43)points in the control group, there were significant differences(t =4.224-9.727,P<0.05 or 0.01). There was no significant difference in role function and emotion function between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions The continuous management of team follow-up can help the patients with cancer pain continue to receive standard treatment and care after discharge, which will help improve the patient's pain control level and improve the quality of life.

PURPOSE: Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is often used as an indicator of glucose control. It usually reflects the average glucose levels over two to three months, and is correlated with the development of long-term diabetic complications. However, it can vary in cases of hemoglobinopathy or an altered red blood cell lifespan. The serum fructosamine levels reflect the mean glucose levels over two to three weeks. This study was designed to determine the clinical usefulness of the combined measurement of serum fructosamine and HbA1c in the management of childhood diabetes mellitus and the correlation between them. METHODS: Clinical data on 74 Korean children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus who were under management at the Department of Pediatrics of Dankook University Hospital were evaluated. Their fructosamine and HbA1c levels were reviewed based on clinical information, and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 21. RESULTS: Their HbA1c levels showed a strong correlation with their fructosamine levels (r=0.868, P<0.001). The fructosamine level was useful for the prompt evaluation of the recent therapeutic efficacy after the change in therapeutic modality. It was also profitable in determining the initial therapeutics and for the estimation of the onset of the disease, such as fulminant diabetes. CONCLUSION: The measurement of both fructosamine and HbA1c was useful in managing childhood diabetes mellitus, especially when there was discrepancy between the clinical information and the HbA1c level.
Adolescent ; Child ; Diabetes Complications ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Erythrocytes ; Fructosamine* ; Glucose ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Hemoglobinopathies ; Humans ; Pediatrics

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There are few available data regarding the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the gene encoding interleukin 28B (IL28B) and a sustained virologic response (SVR) to peginterferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) therapy in Korean chronic hepatitis C patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 156 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who received combination treatment of PEG-IFN plus RBV. Blood samples from these patients were analyzed to identify the IL28B SNPs at rs12979860, rs12980275, rs8099917, and rs8103142. Association analyses were performed to evaluate the relationships between each IL28B SNP and SVRs. RESULTS: Seventy six patients with HCV genotype 1 and 80 with genotype non-1 were enrolled. The frequencies of rs12979860 CC and CT genotypes were 90.4% and 9.6%, respectively; those of rs12980275 AA and AG genotypes were 87.2% and 12.8%, respectively; those of rs8099917 TT and TG genotypes were 92.3% and 7.7%, respectively; and those of rs8103142 TT and CT genotypes were 90.4% and 9.6%, respectively. Among the patients with HCV genotype 1, the SVR rates were 69.7% and 80.0% for rs12979860 CC and CT, respectively (P=0.71). Among the HCV genotype non-1 patients, SVR rates were 88.0% and 100% for rs12979860 CC and CT (P=1.00), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Genotypes of the IL28B SNP that are known to be favorable were present in most of the Korean patients with chronic hepatitis C in this study. Moreover, the IL28B SNP did not influence the SVR rate in either the HCV genotype 1 or non-1 patients. Therefore, IL28B SNP analysis might be not useful for the initial assessment, prediction of treatment outcomes, or treatment decision-making of Korean chronic hepatitis C patients.
Adult ; Alleles ; Antiviral Agents/*therapeutic use ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/*genetics ; Cohort Studies ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/drug therapy/*genetics ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha/therapeutic use ; Interleukins/*genetics ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols/therapeutic use ; *Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Recombinant Proteins/therapeutic use ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Ribavirin/therapeutic use