BACKGROUND: Headache/eyestrain symptoms are common health problems that people experience in daily life. Various studies have examined risk factors contributing to headache/eyestrains, and physicochemical exposure was found to be a leading risk factor in causing such symptoms. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of headache/eyestrain symptoms with physicochemical exposure among Korean construction workers depended on worksite.METHODS: This study used data from the 4th Korean Workers Conditions Survey and selected 1,945 Korean construction workers as participants. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship.RESULTS: Exposure to vibrations among all construction workers affected the moderate exposure group [odds ratio (OR) 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–2.32], the high exposure group (OR 1.77 95%CI 1.17–2.67), and the indoor high exposure group (OR 1.61, 95%CI 1.02-2.55) and among outdoor construction workers, the moderate group (OR 6.61, 95%CI 15.4–28.48) and the high group (OR 6.61, 95%CI 1.56–27.98). When exposed to mist, dust, and fumes, the indoor high exposure group was significantly affected (OR 1.63, 95%CI 1.07–2.47). All construction workers exposed to organic solvents were affected, high exposure group (OR 1.69, 95%CI 1.15–2.49) and indoor high exposure group (OR 1.77, 95%CI 1.08–2.89). The high exposure group in all construction worker (OR 1.70, 95%CI 1.20–2.42) and the indoor high exposure group (OR 1.83, 95%CI 1.17–2.89) also were affected by secondhand smoking exposure.CONCLUSION: Many physicochemical exposure factors affect headache/eyestrain symptoms among construction workers, especially indoor construction workers, suggesting a deficiency in occupational hygiene and health environments at indoor construction worksites.
Dust ; Headache ; Hygiene ; Logistic Models ; Risk Factors ; Solvents ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; Vibration ; Workplace

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with a diode gallium-aluminum-arsenide (Ga-Al-As) low-level laser device on the healing and attachment of titanium implants in bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen New Zealand white male rabbits weighing 3.0+/-0.5 kg were used for this study. Dental titanium implants (3.75 mm in diameter and 8.5 mm in length, US II RBM plus fixture; Osstem, Seoul, Korea) were implanted into both femurs of each rabbit. The rabbits were randomly divided into a LLLT group and a control group. The LLLT was initiated immediately after surgery and then repeated daily for 7 consecutive days in the LLLT group. Six weeks and 12 weeks after implantation, we evaluated and compared the osseointegration of the LLLT group and control group, using histomorphometric analysis, removal torque testing, and resonance frequency analysis (RFA). The results were statistically significant when the level of probability was 0.05 or less based on a non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: The implant survival rate was about 96%. Histologically and histomorphometrically, we observed that the titanium implants were more strongly attached in LLLT group than in control group. However, there was no significant difference between the LLLT group and control group in removal torque or RFA. CONCLUSION: Histologically, LLLT might promote cell-level osseointegration of titanium implants, but there was no statistically significant effects.
Animal Experimentation ; Bone Density ; Dental Implants ; Femur ; Humans ; Low-Level Light Therapy* ; Male ; New Zealand ; Osseointegration* ; Rabbits* ; Seoul ; Survival Rate ; Titanium* ; Torque*

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to ascertain the relationship between several factors and successful return to work using a structural equation model. METHODS: We used original data from the Panel Study of Worker's Compensation Insurance, and defined four latent variables as occupational, individual, supportive, and successful return to work. Each latent variable was defined by its observed variables, including age, workplace size, and quality of the medical services. A theoretical model in which all latent variables had a relationship was suggested. After examining the model, we modified some pathways that were not significant or did not fit, and selected a final structural equation model that had the highest goodness of fit. RESULTS: All three latent variables (occupational, individual, and supportive) showed statistically significant relationships with successful return to work. The occupational and supportive factors had relationships with each other, but there was no relationship between individual and the other factors. Nearly all observed variables had significance with their latent variables. The correlation coefficients from the latent variables to successful return to work were statistically significant and the indices for goodness of fit were satisfactory. In particular, four observed variables-handicap level, duration of convalescence, working duration, and support from the company-showed construct validities with high correlation coefficients. CONCLUSIONS: All factors that we examined are related to successful return to work. We should focus on the supportive factor the most because its variables are modifiable to promote a return to work by those injured in their workplace.
Convalescence ; Insurance ; Models, Theoretical ; Return to Work* ; Workers' Compensation

No abstract available.

INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to evaluate ssrA expression resulting from adaptation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) to oral pathogens through signal exchange. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human cell lines Hep2 and HT29, wild-type E. coli (WT K-12), ssrA knock-out E. coli (Delta K-12), and Scleropages aureus (S. aureus) were used. A single culture consisting of Hep2, HT29, WT K-12, and Delta K-12, and mixed cultures consisting of Hep2 and WT K-12, Hep2 and Delta K-12, WT K-12 and S. aureus , Delta K-12 and S. aureus , and Hep2, WT K-12, and S. aureus were prepared. For HT29, a mixed culture was prepared with WT K-12 and with WT K-12 and S. aureus. Total RNA was extracted from each culture with the resulting expression of ssrA, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kappaB), and p53 was evaluated by Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The expression of ssrA in a single culture of WT K-12 was lower than that observed in the mixed culture of WT K-12 with S. aureus. Greater ssrA expression was observed in the mixed culture of WT K-12 with Hep2 than in the single culture of WT K-12. The expression of NF-kappaB was higher in the mixed culture of Hep2 with Delta K-12 than that in the mixed culture of Hep2 with WT K-12, and was lowest in the single culture of Hep2. The expression of ssrA was higher in the mixed culture of WT K-12 with Hep2 and S. aureus than in the mixed culture of WT K-12 with Hep2. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that ssrA plays an important role in the mechanism of E. coli adaptation to a new environment.
B-Lymphocytes ; Cell Line ; Escherichia coli ; Humans ; Mouth ; NF-kappa B ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA

OBJECTIVES: To reveal the influence of job stress change on body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in white-collar male workers. METHODS: A total of 277 male workers in a Korean R&D company were enrolled between 2008 and 2010. Baseline and follow-up data were collected with structured self-administered questionnaires and anthropometric measurements by nurses. The questionnaire survey included general and work-related characteristics and the Korean Occupational Stress Scale-Short Form (KOSS-SF). The job stress scores in each examination were dichotomized at the median values for the Korean workers and categorized into four groups as follows: Group I: Both low job stress (2008, 2010), Group II: High job stress (2008) & low job stress (2010), Group III: Low job stress (2008) & high job stress (2010), Group IV: Both high job stress (2008, 2010). Multiple logistic regression modeling was used to determine the influence of job stress change on BMI and waist circumference. RESULTS: The adjusted odds ratio for the change in waist circumference above the 75th percentile for Group IV in 'job demand' increased more than in Group I (OR = 2.54 95% CI=1.06~5.55). Also, Group IV in 'job demand' has higher odds ratio for change in BMI above the 75th percentile than Group I (OR=2.25 95% CI=1.01~5.00). Adjusted odds ratios comparing Group II to Group I for the change in waist circumference above the 75th percentile were 0.36 (95% CI=0.15~0.87) in 'inadequate social support', 0.12 (95% CI=0.02~0.98) in 'lack of reward', 0.25 (95% CI=0.08~0.80) in 'total score', respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that sustained high job control is a risk factor for abdominal obesity and weight gain. Also, diminished job stress has a negative influence on change in abdominal obesity. Further studies are required to establish job stress intervention plans.
Body Mass Index ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Odds Ratio ; Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Waist Circumference ; Weight Gain

0.05). Amnesia during local injection was observed in eight patients (34.8%). Compared with the preoperative anxiety score, the intraoperative anxiety score was decreased.CONCLUSION: In this study, we found cardiovascular and respiratory stability in intravenous sedation using dexmedetomidine with pethidine, in plate and screw removal, after orthognathic surgery. Furthemore, intravenous sedation using dexmedetomidine with pethidine shows adequate analgesic and sedative effects.]]>
Amnesia ; Anxiety ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Pressure ; Dexmedetomidine ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Meperidine ; Orthognathic Surgery ; Oxygen

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas of the colon are rare and represent only a small percentage of all colonic endocrine tumors. Here, we report a case of a colonic large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas concurrent with a colonic adenocarcinoma. A 70-year-old man presented with acute abdominal pain. A spiral computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed eccentric wall thickening on the ascending colon. An explorative laparotomy and a right hemicolectomy were performed. Grossly, two separated masses were observed in the proximal ascending colon. One was a 7.4 x 5.1 cm ulcerative fungating lesion, and the other was a 2.8 x 1.9 cm polypoid lesion. Microscopically, the ulcerative fungating lesion showed a well-differentiated neuroendocrine morphology with necrosis and increased mitosis. Most of the tumor cells had large, vesicular nuclei with eosinophilic nucleoli, variable amounts of eosinophilic cytoplasm, and immunoreactivity for chromogranin A and synaptophysin. The polypoid lesion was a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma that had invaded the submucosa. We diagnosed these lesions as a concurrent large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and an adenocarcinoma of the ascending colon.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Pain ; Adenocarcinoma ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Chromogranin A ; Colon ; Colon, Ascending ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Cytoplasm ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; Mitosis ; Necrosis ; Synaptophysin ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Ulcer

OBJECTIVES: A growing body of research has documented that job stress has a pivotal role in developing adverse health outcomes. However, little is known about the relationship between farmers' job stress and health outcomes. This study was undertaken to identify the relationship between job stress and self-perceived fatigue in Korean farmers. METHODS: A total of 526 Korean farmers were asked to participate in this study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the participants' general characteristics, job stress and self-perceived fatigue. Job stress was measured using a forty-eight item Farm Stressor Inventory (FSI), and the self-perceived fatigue was estimated by Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (MFS). Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between job stress and self-perceived fatigue. RESULTS: The result showed that job stress was associated with self-perceived fatigue. For the farmers with high job stress, the risk of self-perceived fatigue was more likely to increase compared to those with low job stress. For males, labor intensity (OR, 3.88; 95% CI, 1.91~7.89), job environment (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.22~4.93), social support (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.07~4.13), social isolation (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.15~5.60), financial problems (OR, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.53~6.91), uncertainty (OR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.30~4.75) and health problems (OR, 5.77; 95% CI, 2.46~13.53) were associated with self-perceived fatigue. For females, job environment (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.22~4.08), social isolation (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.05-4.15), physical environment & weather condition (OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.33~5.12), financial problems (OR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.55~5.32), uncertainty (OR, 3.65; 95% CI, 1.95~6.83) and health problems (OR, 3.38; 95% CI, 1.57~7.27) were associated with self-perceived fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: This result suggests that farmers' job stress plays a role in the development of fatigue, and job stressors related to fatigue are slightly different according to gender.
Agriculture ; Fatigue ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Questionnaires ; Social Isolation ; Uncertainty ; Weather

OBJECTIVES: Mental fitness issues have recently become a point of dispute in the field of health. Drivers are occupationally in danger of a possible accident, and are also exposed to other factors aside from accidents that threaten their mental health. The purpose of this research is to examine the level and state of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and overall mental fitness in bus drivers. In addition, we wish to understand the various causes that can influence PTSD. METHODS: From April 1 to June 30, 2009, taking the region and number of workers into consideration, survey sheets were distributed to selected bus drivers who belonged to the public transportation union. The questionnaire included questions on experiences, details of accidents, the characteristics of the working environment, and the status of mental health. We used the Davidson Trauma Scale to investigate PTSD symptoms and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale to evaluate depression. RESULTS: Regardless of the type of accident, the group of bus drivers with accident experience showed stronger signs of suffering from PTSD. It seemed that the experience of an accident that caused the death of passengers or conflict with passengers were important factors for PTSD. Within the PTSD group, we found more symptoms of depression, and also this group is more likely to take time off work. CONCLUSIONS: The experience of an accident threatens the mental health of bus drivers. Since bus drivers are responsible for the safety of many citizens, we must work towards finding ways to protect their mental health.
Depression ; Dissent and Disputes ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Mental Health ; Occupations ; Questionnaires ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; Stress Disorders, Traumatic ; Stress, Psychological ; Transportation