Background: Mercury, particularly in its methylmercury form, significantly affects neurological and developmental functions. In Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea, blood mercury levels are elevated due to high fish consumption, especially shark meat. Vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women, are at increased risk as methylmercury can cross the placenta and accumulate in breast milk. This study aimed to investigate the risks of mercury exposure from shark meat consumption among young and middle-aged women in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Methods: The data of women aged 19–55 years from the 2018 Gyeongsangbuk-do Community Health Survey were included. Survey questions focused on frequency and amount of shark meat consumption, as well as pregnancy status, recent childbirth, and breastfeeding status. The Complex Sample Analysis was used to determine the prevalence and risk of overconsumption. Weekly mercury intake was calculated for respondents who reported their body weight, and the population size exceeding Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS)’s threshold was estimated. Results: Regions where the consumption rate of shark meat exceeds the average for Gyeongsangbuk-do are found to be distributed in the southeastern part of the province. Population estimates revealed that approximately 9,895 women aged 19–55, including 255 who had breastfed in the past year, consumed shark meat exceeding the recommended intake. Based on the maximum recorded mercury concentration (8.93 μg/g), an estimated 2,645 women surpassed the JECFA’s mercury exposure threshold, while 845 exceeded the MFDS’s threshold. Conclusions In young and middle-aged women of Gyeongsangbuk-do, approximately 7.1% exceed the single intake limit, while up to 1.9% exceed the JECFA’s provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) and 0.6% exceed the MFDS’s PTWI, suggesting considerable risk that warrants monitoring and guidance. More stringent advisory measures regarding shark meat consumption and updated standards on mercury concentration in shark meat are essential for young and middle-aged women in the province.

Background: Chronic exposure to cooking oil fumes (COFs) is associated with adverse health outcomes. Although previous studies have focused on respiratory effects, the impact on cardiovascular structures remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the subclinical cardiovascular changes in school cafeteria workers with long-term COF exposure. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the low-dose chest computed tomography (CT) scans of 88 school cafeteria workers and an age- and sex-matched control group of 88 individuals. The cardiothoracic ratio; ascending aortic diameter; and presence of coronary artery, aortic valve, and ascending aortic calcifications were evaluated and compared between the groups. Results: The cafeteria worker group demonstrated a significantly greater ascending aortic diameter (31.69±3.28 mm vs. 30.64±3.21 mm, p=0.032) and cardiothoracic ratio (0.47±0.04 vs. 0.45±0.04, p=0.026) compared to controls. No significant differences were observed in the prevalence of coronary artery, aortic valve, or ascending aortic calcification between the two groups. Conclusion Our findings suggest that long-term occupational exposure to COFs contributes to subtle cardiovascular alterations detectable on chest CT, even in the absence of overt calcification. These results highlight the need for occupational health surveillance and longitudinal studies to evaluate the clinical implications of these changes.

Research on job training and job satisfaction has been conducted from various perspectives. Job training is thought to be associated with job satisfaction, which is known as an important factor for depression among workers. We hypothesized that job training duration could influence depression through potential mediators (job satisfaction, motivation to work, and work engagement).

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and associated control strategies on the incidence of appendicitis in Seoul, using data from 2018 to 2020 from Korea’s National Health Insurance. METHODS: We analyzed records of total, complicated, and uncomplicated appendicitis cases, as well as the ratio of complicated to uncomplicated appendicitis, using natural spline and piecewise regression models to identify trends and breakpoints. Bayesian structural time-series (BSTS) models were used to evaluate the causal impact of social distancing on appendicitis incidences. RESULTS: The spline regression analysis indicated decreasing trends in both total and uncomplicated appendicitis cases. Conversely, the incidence of complicated appendicitis and the ratio of complicated to uncomplicated cases increased. Breakpoints for a decline in uncomplicated appendicitis and a rise in the ratio occurred at 31 weeks in 2020 (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.2 to 38.8) and at 33.9 weeks (95% CI, 28.3 to 39.6), respectively. The BSTS model demonstrated a 7.8% reduction in total appendicitis cases (95% credible interval [CrI], -12.1 to -3.3). It also showed a 17.4% decrease in uncomplicated cases (95% CrI, -22.2 to -12.3) and increases of 12.8% (95% CrI, 4.9 to 22.0) in complicated cases and 39.0% (95% CrI, 27.0 to 53.3) in the ratio of complicated to uncomplicated appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a decrease in both total and uncomplicated appendicitis cases, while the number of complicated cases increased. Reduced medical visits likely accounted for these changes. Strategies are needed to manage changes in disease pathophysiology resulting from altered healthcare utilization during health crises.

Research on job training and job satisfaction has been conducted from various perspectives. Job training is thought to be associated with job satisfaction, which is known as an important factor for depression among workers. We hypothesized that job training duration could influence depression through potential mediators (job satisfaction, motivation to work, and work engagement).

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and associated control strategies on the incidence of appendicitis in Seoul, using data from 2018 to 2020 from Korea’s National Health Insurance. METHODS: We analyzed records of total, complicated, and uncomplicated appendicitis cases, as well as the ratio of complicated to uncomplicated appendicitis, using natural spline and piecewise regression models to identify trends and breakpoints. Bayesian structural time-series (BSTS) models were used to evaluate the causal impact of social distancing on appendicitis incidences. RESULTS: The spline regression analysis indicated decreasing trends in both total and uncomplicated appendicitis cases. Conversely, the incidence of complicated appendicitis and the ratio of complicated to uncomplicated cases increased. Breakpoints for a decline in uncomplicated appendicitis and a rise in the ratio occurred at 31 weeks in 2020 (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.2 to 38.8) and at 33.9 weeks (95% CI, 28.3 to 39.6), respectively. The BSTS model demonstrated a 7.8% reduction in total appendicitis cases (95% credible interval [CrI], -12.1 to -3.3). It also showed a 17.4% decrease in uncomplicated cases (95% CrI, -22.2 to -12.3) and increases of 12.8% (95% CrI, 4.9 to 22.0) in complicated cases and 39.0% (95% CrI, 27.0 to 53.3) in the ratio of complicated to uncomplicated appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a decrease in both total and uncomplicated appendicitis cases, while the number of complicated cases increased. Reduced medical visits likely accounted for these changes. Strategies are needed to manage changes in disease pathophysiology resulting from altered healthcare utilization during health crises.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and associated control strategies on the incidence of appendicitis in Seoul, using data from 2018 to 2020 from Korea’s National Health Insurance. METHODS: We analyzed records of total, complicated, and uncomplicated appendicitis cases, as well as the ratio of complicated to uncomplicated appendicitis, using natural spline and piecewise regression models to identify trends and breakpoints. Bayesian structural time-series (BSTS) models were used to evaluate the causal impact of social distancing on appendicitis incidences. RESULTS: The spline regression analysis indicated decreasing trends in both total and uncomplicated appendicitis cases. Conversely, the incidence of complicated appendicitis and the ratio of complicated to uncomplicated cases increased. Breakpoints for a decline in uncomplicated appendicitis and a rise in the ratio occurred at 31 weeks in 2020 (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.2 to 38.8) and at 33.9 weeks (95% CI, 28.3 to 39.6), respectively. The BSTS model demonstrated a 7.8% reduction in total appendicitis cases (95% credible interval [CrI], -12.1 to -3.3). It also showed a 17.4% decrease in uncomplicated cases (95% CrI, -22.2 to -12.3) and increases of 12.8% (95% CrI, 4.9 to 22.0) in complicated cases and 39.0% (95% CrI, 27.0 to 53.3) in the ratio of complicated to uncomplicated appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a decrease in both total and uncomplicated appendicitis cases, while the number of complicated cases increased. Reduced medical visits likely accounted for these changes. Strategies are needed to manage changes in disease pathophysiology resulting from altered healthcare utilization during health crises.

Research on job training and job satisfaction has been conducted from various perspectives. Job training is thought to be associated with job satisfaction, which is known as an important factor for depression among workers. We hypothesized that job training duration could influence depression through potential mediators (job satisfaction, motivation to work, and work engagement).

Background: This study investigated the prevalence and associated factors of musculoskeletal pain among professional dancers who experienced a lapse in group practice due to coronavirus disease 2019. Methods: General characteristics, practice time, region of musculoskeletal pain due to injury using the visual numeric scale (VNS), and causative motion were surveyed among professional dancers. Pain of VNS 0 to 3 was categorized as “no or minor,” 4 to 6 was categorized as “moderate,” and 7 to 10 was categorized as “severe.” The causal motions of musculoskeletal pain were analyzed according to body region. Factors other than motion associated with pain were also analyzed. Results: In total, 368 participants were included. In the univariate analysis, age and practice time were positively associated with “moderate” pain. Practice time, dance experience, and postural accuracy were positively associated with “severe” pain, as was performing Korean traditional dance. In the multivariable analysis, practice time, group practice, and age were positively associated with pain of VNS 4 to 10, and practice time, group practice, and Korean traditional dance were positively associated with pain of VNS 7 to 10. Conclusion Among the factors related to dancer training, practice time, group practice, and dance type affect the occurrence of pain.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and associated control strategies on the incidence of appendicitis in Seoul, using data from 2018 to 2020 from Korea’s National Health Insurance. METHODS: We analyzed records of total, complicated, and uncomplicated appendicitis cases, as well as the ratio of complicated to uncomplicated appendicitis, using natural spline and piecewise regression models to identify trends and breakpoints. Bayesian structural time-series (BSTS) models were used to evaluate the causal impact of social distancing on appendicitis incidences. RESULTS: The spline regression analysis indicated decreasing trends in both total and uncomplicated appendicitis cases. Conversely, the incidence of complicated appendicitis and the ratio of complicated to uncomplicated cases increased. Breakpoints for a decline in uncomplicated appendicitis and a rise in the ratio occurred at 31 weeks in 2020 (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.2 to 38.8) and at 33.9 weeks (95% CI, 28.3 to 39.6), respectively. The BSTS model demonstrated a 7.8% reduction in total appendicitis cases (95% credible interval [CrI], -12.1 to -3.3). It also showed a 17.4% decrease in uncomplicated cases (95% CrI, -22.2 to -12.3) and increases of 12.8% (95% CrI, 4.9 to 22.0) in complicated cases and 39.0% (95% CrI, 27.0 to 53.3) in the ratio of complicated to uncomplicated appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a decrease in both total and uncomplicated appendicitis cases, while the number of complicated cases increased. Reduced medical visits likely accounted for these changes. Strategies are needed to manage changes in disease pathophysiology resulting from altered healthcare utilization during health crises.