Background: Although weekend work makes up a significant part of work patterns in modern society, research on the health effects of weekend work is relatively limited compared to other types of nonstandard work. This study was conducted to examine the impact of weekend work on the health of Korean workers, aiming to provide evidence to support the development of welfare policies that promote workers’ health. Methods: This study was conducted using data from the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey, targeting 35,957 Korean workers who met the research criteria. Based on the survey responses, information was collected on weekend work status and health outcomes, including general health, musculoskeletal pain, headaches or eye pain, fatigue, sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, absenteeism and presenteeism. To examine the association between weekend work and health outcome variables, logistic regression analysis was performed adjusting for sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, with additional stratified analyses conducted according to employment status. Results: Among the final study population, 11,255 workers, accounting for 30.5% of the total, were weekend workers. After adjusting for sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, weekend work was found to be significantly associated with depression (odds ratio [OR]: 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00–1.18), anxiety (OR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.16–1.58), musculoskeletal pain (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.34–1.58), fatigue (OR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.36–1.62), absenteeism (OR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.43–2.03), and presenteeism (OR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.62–2.04). The health effects of weekend work differed between the self-employed and employees, as shown in the results of the stratified analysis. Conclusions Weekend work was found to increase the risk of both physical and mental health problems of Korean workers, and the effect varied according to employment status. There is a need to design a comprehensive occupational health policy that reflects the characteristics of different employment statuses.

Objectives: Adolescents who engage in unhealthy behaviors are particularly vulnerable to anxiety. We hypothesized that participation in physical activity could influence the relationship between anxiety and unhealthy behaviors in adolescents. These behaviors include smoking, alcohol consumption, and unsafe sexual activity. Methods: This study included 50 301 students from the first year of middle school to the third year of high school, all from Korea. The unhealthy adolescent behaviors examined included current alcohol consumption, current smoking, and unsafe sexual behavior. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire (GAD-7). Results: The participants had a mean age of 15.19 years and an average GAD-7 score of 4.23. No significant differences were observed in GAD-7 score among exercising participants when categorized by smoking status (p=0.835) or unsafe sexual behavior (p=0.489). In contrast, participants in the non-exercise group who engaged in these behaviors demonstrated significantly higher GAD-7 scores (p<0.001 and 0.016, respectively). The only significant interaction was found between unsafe sexual behavior and exercise (p=0.009). Based on logistic regression analysis, within the non-exercise group, significant positive associations were observed between current smoking and anxiety (odds ratio [OR], 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18 to 1.57), as well as between unsafe sexual behavior and anxiety (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.73). However, within the exercise group, no significant association was found between anxiety and either smoking or unsafe sexual behavior. Furthermore, no significant interaction was observed between unhealthy behaviors and exercise. Conclusions These findings are insufficient to conclude that physical activity influences the relationship between unhealthy behaviors and anxiety.

Background: Neuroinflammation plays an important role in cognitive decline and memory impairment in neurodegenerative disorders. Previously, we demonstrated that Humulus japonicus (HJ) has anti-inflammatory effects in rodent models of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The present study aimed to examine the protective potential of HJ extracts against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cognitive impairment and scopolamine-induced amnesia in mouse models. Cognitive improvement of mice was investigated by novel object recognition test. For analyzing effects on neuroinflammation, immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR) assays were performed. Results: We found that the oral administration of HJ significantly improved cognitive dysfunction induced by LPS in a novel object recognition test. The LPS-induced activation of microglia was notably decreased by HJ treatment in the cortex and hippocampus. HJ administration with LPS also significantly increased the mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-10 and decreased the mRNA expression of IL-12 in the parietal cortex of mice. The increased expression of LPS-induced complement C1q B chain (C1bq) and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2) genes was significantly suppressed by HJ treatment. In addition, HJ administration significantly improved novel object recognition in a scopolamine-induced amnesia mouse model. Conclusions These findings revealed that HJ has a beneficial effect on cognitive impairment and neuroinflammation induced by systemic inflammation and on amnesia induced by scopolamine in mice.

Purpose: To report a case of diplopia caused by restrictive strabismus developing after conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy (CDCR).Case summary: A 61-year-old female presented with persistent epiphora after failure to repair ipsilateral canalicular lacerations of the left eye caused by trauma occurred 25 years ago. CDCR was performed and the epiphora improved. Four months later, the patient presented with diplopia on the left gaze. An abduction limitation of -4 and a supraduction limitation of -3 were observed in the left eye. Therefore, Jones tube removal was performed 5 months after CDCR surgery. Two weeks later, as the limitations persisted, adhesiolysis of the conjunctiva and an amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) were performed. This exposed a subconjunctival adhesion at the inferonasal conjunctiva; histopathological examination revealed fibrotic tissues. Three months later, the adhesions recurred and the patient was transferred to another hospital. Conjunctival adhesiolysis, AMT, and a 6.5 mm recession of medial rectus (MR) muscle were performed. One week later, exotropia occurred in the primary position, and the MR muscle of the left eye was advanced by 2 mm. Nine months after the final surgery, the primary gaze was orthotropia. The diplopia within the central 20° of visual field had disappeared. However, a levoelevation limitation of -1.5 remained in the left eye. Conclusions CDCR is the only treatment method for patients with occlusion of both the upper and lower proximal lacrimal canaliculi. However, rare complications such as restrictive strabismus with diplopia may occur. As preventing adhesion is difficult, sufficient patient notice is required prior to surgery.

Salmonella enterica serotype Choleraesuis causes swine paratyphoid, with clinical findings of enterocolitis and septicemia. However, the clinicopathological features of S. Choleraesuis infections in pigs have not been reported in Korea. We describe the pathological findings of two weaned pigs with S. Choleraesuis infections, presenting with diarrhea, cough, and sudden death. Pathological examination indicated severe necrotic colitis in pig 1 and septicemic lesions in pig 2. Multidrug-resistant S. Choleraesuis was isolated from the pigs’ lungs and intestinal contents. Further research is required for the surveillance of S. Choleraesuis infections in pigs and the virulence estimation in the S. Choleraesuis isolates.

Purpose: To present a case of a cystic solitary fibrous tumor (SFT), the first report of its kind in Korea, along with a review of the literature of SFTs affecting the orbit.Case summary: A 71-year-old male was referred to our practice due to diplopia for 2 years and 6 months. On ophthalmologic examination, 10-mm proptosis and inferolateral globe displacement were observed in the left eye, and extraocular movements were limited in all directions of gaze. A facial computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging showed a lobulated, well-enhanced mass in the superonasal extraconal space. The tumor appeared to be heterogeneous; cystic tissue was suspected. An excisional biopsy was performed through anterior orbitotomy to remove the mass (dimensions, 43 × 30 × 28 mm3). Histological examination showed the tumor to be composed of spindle cells in collagenous tissue. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for CD34, CD99, and orbital SFT with cystic changes. Conclusions SFT arising in the orbit is extremely rare but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of progressing unilateral proptosis, keeping in mind that this condition may be accompanied by cystic changes.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of the Icare ic200 in clinical practice by comparing the intraocular pressure (IOP) measured with the Icare ic200 rebound tonometer to the IOP measured with the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT). Methods: A total of 294 eyes of 294 Korean patients were included. IOP was measured with the Icare ic200 and then measured again with a GAT in all patients. We evaluated the degree of IOP agreement between the two tonometers and analyzed the diagnostic ability of the Icare ic200 for a reading ≥ 22 mmHg with the GAT. We also analyzed whether clinical factors including biometry affected the difference in IOP measured by the two tonometers. Results: The IOP values measured with the Icare ic200 and GAT were strongly correlated (r = 0.875, p < 0.001). The IOP measured with the Icare ic200 was lower than the IOP measured with GAT. The mean difference was 3.07 ± 2.67 mmHg, and 95.24% of patients were distributed within the 95% limits of agreement (-2.16 to 8.30 mmHg) on Bland-Altman plots. The diagnostic ability of the Icare ic200 for IOP ≥ 22 mmHg was 0.959 (area under the receiver operating characterisitic). In multivariate regression analyses, older age (β = 0.034, p = 0.020) and greater corneal curvature (β = 0.213, p = 0.030) were correlated with larger IOP differences between the two tonometers. Conclusions Although the Icare ic200 was more consistent than the GAT with reasonable diagnostic ability for ≥ 22 mmHg, the IOP measured 3 mmHg lower than the GAT. Therefore, the Icare ic200 might be more useful as a screening test to increase IOP rather than replacing GAT in clinical practice.

Purpose: To present a case of a cystic solitary fibrous tumor (SFT), the first report of its kind in Korea, along with a review of the literature of SFTs affecting the orbit.Case summary: A 71-year-old male was referred to our practice due to diplopia for 2 years and 6 months. On ophthalmologic examination, 10-mm proptosis and inferolateral globe displacement were observed in the left eye, and extraocular movements were limited in all directions of gaze. A facial computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging showed a lobulated, well-enhanced mass in the superonasal extraconal space. The tumor appeared to be heterogeneous; cystic tissue was suspected. An excisional biopsy was performed through anterior orbitotomy to remove the mass (dimensions, 43 × 30 × 28 mm3). Histological examination showed the tumor to be composed of spindle cells in collagenous tissue. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for CD34, CD99, and orbital SFT with cystic changes. Conclusions SFT arising in the orbit is extremely rare but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of progressing unilateral proptosis, keeping in mind that this condition may be accompanied by cystic changes.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of the Icare ic200 in clinical practice by comparing the intraocular pressure (IOP) measured with the Icare ic200 rebound tonometer to the IOP measured with the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT). Methods: A total of 294 eyes of 294 Korean patients were included. IOP was measured with the Icare ic200 and then measured again with a GAT in all patients. We evaluated the degree of IOP agreement between the two tonometers and analyzed the diagnostic ability of the Icare ic200 for a reading ≥ 22 mmHg with the GAT. We also analyzed whether clinical factors including biometry affected the difference in IOP measured by the two tonometers. Results: The IOP values measured with the Icare ic200 and GAT were strongly correlated (r = 0.875, p < 0.001). The IOP measured with the Icare ic200 was lower than the IOP measured with GAT. The mean difference was 3.07 ± 2.67 mmHg, and 95.24% of patients were distributed within the 95% limits of agreement (-2.16 to 8.30 mmHg) on Bland-Altman plots. The diagnostic ability of the Icare ic200 for IOP ≥ 22 mmHg was 0.959 (area under the receiver operating characterisitic). In multivariate regression analyses, older age (β = 0.034, p = 0.020) and greater corneal curvature (β = 0.213, p = 0.030) were correlated with larger IOP differences between the two tonometers. Conclusions Although the Icare ic200 was more consistent than the GAT with reasonable diagnostic ability for ≥ 22 mmHg, the IOP measured 3 mmHg lower than the GAT. Therefore, the Icare ic200 might be more useful as a screening test to increase IOP rather than replacing GAT in clinical practice.

Background and Objectives: The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor (NLRP) 3 is known as a member of the NLR family, and it has been confirmed that the NLRP3 inflammasome is associated with various diseases such as asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic disorders and multiple sclerosis, as well as other auto-immune and auto-inflammatory diseases. However, the role of NLRP3 in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) has not yet been explored.Subjects and Method Forty-four specimens of nasal polyps and 25 specimens of uncinate processes were collected from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, and 25 specimens of uncinate tissues were collected from patients who underwent other rhino-surgeries. The western blot assay was employed to analyze the expression of NLRP3; interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-17A were detected using immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced IL-1β and IL-17A with or without the NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor (MCC950) was measured using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in cultured dispersed nasal polyp cells. Results: NLRP3 showed a high level of expression in nasal polyps than in the control group (p<0.01). The expression of IL-1β and IL-17A was significantly higher in nasal polyps in the CRSwNP group than in the control group (p<0.05). LPS-induced production of IL-1β was significantly suppressed by treatment with the NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor (p<0.05). Conclusion The NLRP3 inflammasome plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP, and thus MCC950 can be considered a prospective therapeutic for NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated inflammation in nasal polyps. Our data provide new evidence that IL-17A is involved in inflammasome-associated inflammation in nasal polyps.