Background: The Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS) was developed in 2004. During this time, industrial structures have evolved, and societal awareness of occupational stress has changed. This study aims to develop and validate a revised version of the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS®19), tailored for workers, reflecting these changes. Methods: The KOSS®19 was developed based on the 26-item KOSS–short form (SF) through a review by eight experts. A survey was conducted including 359 service industry workers, comprising the KOSS®19, Burnout, and Depression scales. The KOSS®19 subscales were restructured, and their reliability and validity were evaluated. Results: The KOSS®19 composed of eight subscales: hazardous physical environment (2 items), high job demand (3 items), insufficient job control (2 items), low social support (2 items), job insecurity (2 items), organizational injustice (4 items), lack of reward (2 items), and work-life imbalance (2 items). The reliability and validity of the KOSS®19 were found to be satisfactory. Conclusions The KOSS®19 is a suitable tool for assessing occupational stress, effectively replacing the original KOSS and KOSS-SF.

Background: Emotional labor refers to the management of emotions and expressions to meet the emotional requirements of a job role. This study aimed to develop a revised version of the Korean Emotional Labor Scale (KELS®11), based on the first edition (KELS-24) introduced in 2014, and to provide practical applications and guidelines for its use in the Korean workplace through a validation process. Methods: The revised version of KELS®11 was derived from the 24-item KELS, following a review process involving eight experts. To validate the scale’s reliability and validity, a self-administered survey was conducted among 359 service industry workers using KELS®11, burnout, and depression scales. KELS®11 was reclassified, and its reliability and validity were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted to establish sex-specific cutoff values (normal vs. high-risk groups). Results: KELS®11 was designed to account for individual, organizational, and cultural contexts. It consists of four subscales and 11 items: “emotional regulation” (2 items), “emotional dissonance” (3 items), “organizational monitoring” (2 items), and “organizational protective system for emotional labor” (4 items). KELS®11 demonstrated good validity (content validity ratio: 0.84; item convergence/discriminant validity success rates: 100%; correlation with burnout: r = 0.185–0.436, p < 0.01; correlation with depression: r = 0.128–0.339, p < 0.05) and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.597–0.795). Additionally, sex-specific reference values were established to determine risk groups based on the intensity of emotional labor exposure. Conclusions KELS®11 is a validated and reliable measurement tool designed to assess the intensity and magnitude of emotional labor in the workplace. The revised tool reflects critical considerations in the development of emotional labor measurement scales.

Background: Workplace violence refers to any act or threat of physical violence, verbal abuse, harassment, intimidation, bullying, mobbing, or other aggressive and disruptive behaviors that occur at work. This study aims to develop and validate a revision of the Korean Workplace Violence Scale (KWVS®13), based on the first edition of the Korean Workplace Violence Scale (KWVS-24), and to provide practical applications and guidelines for the Korean workplace environment. Methods: The revised KWVS®13 was developed by restructuring the 24-item KWVS through a review process involving eight experts. To validate the reliability and validity of KWVS®13, a self-administered survey comprising KWVS®13, burnout, and depression scales was conducted among 359 service industry workers. KWVS®13 was reclassified, and its reliability and validity were assessed. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to establish sex-specific cutoff values (normal vs. risk) of the scale. Results: KWVS®13 consists of 13 items across four subscales: “psychological and sexual violence from customers” (4 items), “psychological and sexual violence from supervisors or coworkers” (4 items), “physical assault from customers, supervisors, or coworkers” (2 items), and “organizational protective system for workplace violence” (3 items). We found that KWVS®13 shows relatively good validity (content validity ratio for content validity: 0.888; success rate of item convergent and discriminant validity: 100%, and significant correlation coefficient with burnout (r = 0.115–0.83, p < 0.05) and depression (r = 0.098–0.348, p < 0.05) with the exception of Organizational Violence Protection System for Workplace Violence) and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.827–0.860). The reference values for determining risk groups according to the intensity of exposure to workplace violence are presented separately by sex. Conclusions KWVS®13 is a robust and useful measurement tool to objectively and quantitatively assess the intensity and magnitude of workplace violence. It incorporates important considerations for workplace violence assessment and provides a reliable framework for evaluating workplace violence in various professional settings.

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.

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

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

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