OBJECTIVES: This study aims to find differences that reflect the magnitude of health disparities in wage workers in Korea according to income index(personal income, household income, equivalized income) by gender. METHODS: Data was obtained from the 11th wave of Korean Labor and Income Panel Survey in 2008. This study analyzed 4,205 subjects(2,570 males and 1,635 females) aged 19-65 years. To compare the health effects of each income index by gender, unconditional multiple logistic regression, health-related behaviors, and working conditions were used. The unconditional multiple logistic regression was adjusted by socio-demographic characteristics. All statistics were estimated using SAS survey procedures. RESULTS: According to unconditional multiple logistic regression, significant differences in ORs between men and women were observed in this study for those wage workers who self-rated their health status to be poor. This was consistent between each income index. Men had an OR of 1.76 (95% CI, 1.28~2.43) by personal income, 1.70 (95%CI, 1.25~2.32) by household income and 1.69 (95% CI, 1.23~2.31) by equivalized income. Women had an 2.09 (95% CI, 1.47~2.97) by household income and OR of 1.95 (95% CI, 1.36~2.79) by equivalized income, but personal income did not have a significant effect on OR for women. CONCLUSIONS: The study of occupational and environmental medicine should consider that each income index has different effects on the self-rated health status according to gender. Household income index and equivalized income index would represent a health status for women.
Aged ; Electrolytes ; Environmental Medicine ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Phenothiazines ; Salaries and Fringe Benefits ; Socioeconomic Factors

Here we report a case of Strongyloides stercoralis infection of the gastric and pancolonic mucosa in a 79-year-old female with a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Endoscopic biopsies were performed in gastric antrum, cecum, distal ascending colon, and hepatic flexure of the colon. On microscopic examination, there were many adult worms, larvae and eggs in the gastric and colonic mucosa. Worms, larvae, and eggs were located in the crypts and within the lumen of the crypts. The body wall of the adult worm was composed of cuticle and a weak muscle layer. A routine stool examination failed to detect larvae or ova. Based on the histopathologic examination, these parasites were confirmed as S. stercoralis.
Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Cecum ; Colon ; Colon, Ascending ; Eggs ; Female ; Humans ; Larva ; Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance ; Mucous Membrane ; Muscles ; Ovum ; Paraproteinemias ; Parasites ; Pyloric Antrum ; Stomach ; Strongyloides stercoralis ; Strongyloidiasis

Here we report a case of Strongyloides stercoralis infection of the gastric and pancolonic mucosa in a 79-year-old female with a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Endoscopic biopsies were performed in gastric antrum, cecum, distal ascending colon, and hepatic flexure of the colon. On microscopic examination, there were many adult worms, larvae and eggs in the gastric and colonic mucosa. Worms, larvae, and eggs were located in the crypts and within the lumen of the crypts. The body wall of the adult worm was composed of cuticle and a weak muscle layer. A routine stool examination failed to detect larvae or ova. Based on the histopathologic examination, these parasites were confirmed as S. stercoralis.
Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Cecum ; Colon ; Colon, Ascending ; Eggs ; Female ; Humans ; Larva ; Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance ; Mucous Membrane ; Muscles ; Ovum ; Paraproteinemias ; Parasites ; Pyloric Antrum ; Stomach ; Strongyloides stercoralis ; Strongyloidiasis

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to estimate the proportion of occupational lung cancer in the Busan area. METHODS: Occupational physicians of four university hospitals operating an occupational disease surveillance system in the Busan area actively interviewed all of the newly diagnosed, lung cancer cases about their characteristics and occupational histories through a survey questionnaire and chart review. To evaluate and agree on the work-relativity, the cases were presented in periodic meetings. RESULTS: A total of 301 lung cancer cases were interviewed, of which 50 (16.6%, all male, 27 probable and 23 possible) were related to occupational exposure. The exposure materials were asbestos, Cr, PAH etc. Pathologic findings included squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS:The proportion of occupational lung cancer cases above the probable level was 9% and above the possible level was 17%. To develop the public health policy and to prevent further cancer death, the meaningful data from occupational cancer surveillance systems should be collected continuously for ongoing monitoring.
Adenocarcinoma ; Asbestos ; Busan* ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; Occupational Exposure ; Occupations ; Public Health ; Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: Currently available therapies for human malignant gliomas have limited efficacy. Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, and Quil-A are nonspecific, potent immune stimulants. T. gondii is shown to have antitumor activity in some types of cancers. Therefore, this study is undertaken to evaluate the antitumor effect of Toxoplasma lysate antigen (TLA), alone or in combination with Quil-A, on human glioma U373MG and U87MG cells. METHODS: The in vitro effects of TLA alone or in combination with Quil-A on the proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of glioma cells were tested using MTT, Matrigel invasion, and DNA fragmentation assays, and the in vivo effects on the growth of gliomas were evaluated in athymic nude mice transplanted with glioma cells. RESULTS: Treatment with TLA resulted in the suppressed proliferation and invasion of both U373MG and U87MG cells, in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, at high concentration, TLA induced glioma cell apoptosis. When TLA was administered in the mouse glioma model, malignant glioma growth was decreased. The combined treatment of TLA with Quil-A significantly inhibited the proliferation and invasion of cultured cells as well as tumor mass of implanted mice. CONCLUSION: TLA inhibits the proliferation and invasion of glioma cells in vitro and in vivo, and these antitumor effects of TLA are significantly enhanced by the addition of Quil-A.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA Fragmentation ; Glioma* ; Humans* ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Parasites ; Toxoplasma*

PURPOSE: Intravascular stent implantation for the treatment of postoperative branch pulmonary artery(PA) stenosis has been used successfully. However, the cross sectional area of contralateral branch PA does not regress in spite of the successful dilation of the stenotic branch PA after stent implantation. We analyzed the morphologic and hemodynamic factors on the size of branch PA after successful stent implantation. METHODS: The subjects in our study were 23 children who had undergone stent implantaion from Jan. 1995 to Jul. 2002 in the Division of Yonsei Pediatric Cardiology. We evaluated the cross sectional area index(CSAI) of branch PA before and after stent implantation at follow-up catheterization. We also investigated factors such as residual pulmonary stenosis, pulmonary regurgitation(PR), systolic pressure of right ventricle, and lung perfusion scan. RESULTS: The CSAI of the RPA without stenosis changed from mean 238+/-17 mm2/BSA to mean 249+/-20 mm2/BSA(P=0.47), but didn't regress. The CSAI of the LPA with stenosis was increased effectively by stent implantation from the mean 102+/-12 mm2/BSA to mean 125+/-11 mm2/BSA(P< 0.05). At follow up after stent implantation, the CSAI of PA is correlated with the residual PR fraction after stent implantation. CONCLUSION: In a group with increased residual PR, CSAI of RPA was found to be significantly increased between the pre- and post-stages of stent implantation. So, we suspect that the pulmonary regurgitation remaining after right ventricle outlet tract(RVOT) dilatation surgery is correlated with the increase in CSAI of RPA.
Child ; Male ; Female ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to establish the value of the programmable valve system. METHODS: The authors conducted a single center retrospective study of 41 consecutive patients who had undergone ventriculoperitoneal shunt with programmable valve for hydrocephalus of various etiology from March 1999 to February 2002. RESULTS: In 10 patients(24%), valve pressure adjustment was required at least 3 times or more for the reason of underdrainage or overdrainage. The range of pressure reprogramming was 10 to 120mmH2O. The clinical symptoms improved in 37 patients(90%). The radiologic improvement was obtained in 88%. Shunt was minimally functioning in 3 cases without any clinical effect at the pressure of 30mmH2O. CONCLUSION: The programmable valve has been particularly useful in changing ventricular size for the correction of overdrainage or underdranage by the easy control of valve pressure without any invasive procedure. The authors' preference is to use the programmable valve system for all conditions.
Humans ; Hydrocephalus* ; Retrospective Studies ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

A 64-year-old man was admitted for gross hematuria. Preoperative study revealed right renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava(IVC) tumor thrombus. Right radical nephrectomy was performed, and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest(DHCA) with retrograde cerebral perfusion(RCP) was used for extraction of tumor thrombus in the IVC. The thrombus originated from the right kidney, which extended the orifice of the gonadal vein in the left renal vein laterally, the hepatic vein superiorly, and 3 cm below the right renal vein inferiorly. The thrombus was removed completely without caval wall injury under DHCA with RCP, and the postoperative course was uneventful. He received immunotherapy with interferon, and followed up without any surgical problem.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Circulatory Arrest, Deep Hypothermia Induced* ; Gonads ; Hematuria ; Hepatic Veins ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Interferons ; Kidney ; Middle Aged ; Nephrectomy ; Renal Veins ; Thrombosis ; Veins ; Vena Cava, Inferior

BACKGROUND: Korean mistletoe (Viscum album) extract has been found to posses immunostimulatory activity. In this study, Korean mistletoe extract, M11C (non-lectin components), was used to know whether this extract might activate mouse peritoneal macrophages to produce interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta). METHODS: Hemagglutination assay was carried out to examine whether M11C contained a lectin or not . To know the effect of M11C on the production of IL-1 beta, the macrophages were treated by the M11C, and then collected the supernatant (M11C stimulated macrophages-conditioned media; MMCM). MMCM was analyzed for the IL-1 beta quantification and mRNA expression by means of ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: Maximum effective dose and time of M11C on IL-1 beta production from macrophages were 20 micro gram/ml and 8 hours, respectively . This ELISA data was reconfirmed by immunoblotting assay . indicating that M11C is a good candidate for an immunomodulator. The dose and time dependent effect s of M11C on the expression of IL-1 beta mRNA from macrophages was also shown in expression of mRNA detected by RT-PCR. Treatment dose and time for the maximum expression of IL-1 beta mRNA were 20 micro gram/ml and 4 hours, respectively . Maximum gene expression of IL-1 beta was much earlier than maximum production of it. CONCLUSION: As results, Korean mistletoe extract, M11C, may be used for an immunomodulator. This will be able to make up for and solve the problems caused by existent immunoagent with many adverse effects through many other studies in future including one molecule extraction.
Animals ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Expression ; Hemagglutination ; Immunoblotting ; Interleukin-1beta ; Macrophages* ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; Mice ; Mistletoe* ; RNA, Messenger

BACKGROUNDS: The first step for the recovery of alcoholics is the formation of true insight which enables them to admit that they are alcoholic. This study was designed to analyze the changes in insight status by treatment programs. METHOD: The subjects were 214 alcohol dependents who participated in the insight-oriented treatment programs for at least 1 week. Their insight status were measured through HAIS before and after treatment. RESULTS: Of 214 subjects, 83 (38.8%) were in poor-, 103 (48.1%) in fair-, and 28 (13.1%) in good-insight before treatment, and 56 (26.2%) in poor-, 97 (45.3%) in fair-, and 61 (28.5%) in good-insight after treatment. Mean HAIS scores of the subjects were 5.35 (SD=8.33) before treatment and significantly increased to 9.00 (SD=8.04) after treatment. The magnitude of insight-improvement was negatively correlated with the HAIS scores before treatment in poor-insight group and positively correlated with the duration of participation in treatment in fair-insight group. CONCLUSION: We confirmed the fact that the insight status of patients could be improved by treatment. It was also suggested that the therapeutic strategy needed an individual approach according to the insight state of a patient.
Alcoholics ; Alcoholism* ; Humans