The Health Status and Management of Migrant Workers in Cheonan:A Comparison Study With Korean Citizens

Migrant workers face challenging working conditions, resulting in physical and mental vulnerability. The objective is to identify their health vulnerabilities and ensure their right to health. Health records of 163 migrant workers (113 males and 50 females) (Group A) and 163 Korean citizens (Group B) visiting our institution were analyzed from August 2021 to July 2022. Both groups underwent urine analysis, chest radiography, and various blood tests. Statistical analysis using independent t-tests and χ2 tests was performed. Group A had a significantly higher rate of hepatitis B virus surface antigen-positive patients, lower vaccination rates for hepatitis B, and poorer nutritional status compared to Group B. Group B generally exhibited higher levels of albumin, glucose, total cholesterol, and thyroidstimulating hormone. There were significant quantitative differences in multiple blood cell and hemoglobin measurements between the two groups. These findings emphasize the need for policy support and public awareness to protect the health rights of migrant workers.

Potential Role of Heme Oxygenase-1 in the Resolution of Experimentally Induced Colitis through Regulation of Macrophage Polarization

Background/Aims@#Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) plays a central role in cellular defense against inflammatory insults, and its induction in macrophages potentiates their efferocytic activity. In this study, we explored the potential role of macrophage HO-1 in the resolution of experimentally induced colitis. @*Methods@#To induce colitis, male C57BL/6 mice were treated with 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in the drinking water for 7 days. To investigate efferocytosis, apoptotic colon epithelial CCD 841 CoN cells were coincubated with bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). @*Results@#Administration of the HO-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) blunted the resolution of DSS-induced intestinal inflammation and expression of the proresolving M2 macrophage marker CD206. BMDMs treated with apoptotic colonic epithelial cells showed significantly elevated expression of HO-1 and its regulator Nrf2. Under the same experimental conditions, the proportion of CD206-expressing macrophages was also enhanced. ZnPP treatment abrogated the upregulation of CD206 expression in BMDMs engulfing apoptotic colonic epithelial cells. This result was verified with BMDMs isolated from HO-1-knockout mice. BMDMs, when stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, exhibited increased expression of CD86, a marker of M1 macrophages.Coculture of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BMDMs with apoptotic colonic epithelial cell debris dampened the expression of CD86 as well as the pro-inflammatory cytokines in an HO-1-dependent manner. Genetic ablation as well as pharmacologic inhibition of HO-1 significantly reduced the proportion of efferocytic BMDMs expressing the scavenger receptor CD36. @*Conclusions@#HO-1 plays a key role in the resolution of experimentally induced colitis by modulating the polarization of macrophages.

Tracheopathia Osteoplastica Associated with Anthracofibrosis: Case Report

Tracheopathia osteoplastica is a rare benign disorder of the trachea and major bronchi. It is characterized by multiple cartilaginous or osseous submucosal nodules that project into the tracheobronchial lumen. Awareness of the condition is important to avoid unnecessary surgery. We report here on the CT and bronchoscopic findings of tracheopathia osteoplastica associated with anthracofibrosis in a 67-year old woman, and we will then discuss our findings.

A Randomized Prospective Trial Comparing Oral Sodium Phosphate with Magnesium citrate in Preparing of Patients for Double Contrast Barium Enema

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare two bowel preparation agents, sodium phosphate solution with magnesium citrate solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 94 subjects that underwent a double-contrast barium enema were included in this study. Bowel preparation before performing the barium study was done by using a sodium phosphate solution in 47 subjects and by using a magnesium citrate solution in the other 47subjects. We evaluated the presence or absence of side effects when using these bowel preparation agents. Two radiologist who were blinded to the type of bowel preparation evaluated the quality of bowel preparation at the colonic segments (ascending, descending, and sigmoid colon) on the radiographs obtained by double-contrast barium enema, with regard to stool cleansing, water retention, barium coating and bubble formation. RESULTS: The side effects, such as abdominal clamping pain, nausea, hunger pain and chill occurred more frequently in the sodium phosphate group than in the magnesium citrate group (p<0.001). Stool retention was more frequently found in the magnesium citrate group (p<0.001). However, no statistical difference was noted on the status of water retention and barium coating between two groups. Gas bubble formation was more commonly seen in the sodium phosphate group (p<0.001). The sodium phosphate solution appeared to be more effective in cleansing the right colon (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Sodium phosphate solution appears to be more effective for colonic cleansing, with a lower incidence of side effects, than when using magnesium citrate solution.

A Study on CT Attenuation and MR Signal Intensity of Protein Solution

PURPOSE: To correlate CT attenuation and MR signal intensity with concentration of protein solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT and MR examinations of a phantom containing bovine serum albumin solutions of various concentrations ranging from 0 to 55% were performed. CT Hounsfield units(HUs), MR signal intensities, and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) of each albumin solution were measured, and CT HUs and MR signal intensities of the solutions were compared with those of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), white matter, and cortical gray matter. RESULTS: CT HU increased gradually with increasing albumin concentration. On T1-weighted images(T1WI), signal intensity increased with increasing albumin concentrations of up to 35% but then decreased. On T2-weighted images(T2WI), gradually decreasing signal intensity and increasing albumin concentration were oibserved. Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and diffusion-weighted images (DWIs) showed that signal intensity peaked at a concentration of 10% and then gradually decreased. The ADC of the solution gradually decreased as concentration increased. Compared with those of normal brain structures, the CT HUs of solutions at concentrations of over 20% were higher than those of white and gray matter. At T1WI, the signal intensities of 10-45% solutions were similar to or higher than that of the gray matter. At T2WI, the signal intensities of solutions above 25, 35, and 40% were lower than those of CSF, gray matter, and white matter, respectively. FLAIR images showed that the signal intensities of 5-35% solutions were higher than that of gray matter. CONCLUSION: The CT attenuation of albumin solution increased gradually with increasing concentration. MR signal intensities peaked at 35% concentration on T1WI and at 10% on FLAIR and DW images, respectively, and then gradually decreased. T2WI and ADC map images showed gradually decreasing signal intensity and ADC as albumin concentration increased.

Septooptic Dysplasia: A Case Report

Septooptic dysplasia is a rare anterior midline anomaly considered to be a mild form of lobar holoprosencephaly. We describe a case with unilateral optic nerve hypoplasia and the absence of a septum pellucidum.

Detection of Acute Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Comparison of FLAIR MR Imaging with Unenhanced CT

PURPOSE: Our aim was to evaluate the usefulness of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MR imaging for detection of acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) compared with unenhanced CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared FLAIR MR images with unenhanced CT scans in 28 patients with acute SAH. Findings of SAH on CT and MR images were graded as 0 (absence), 1 (suspicious), 2 (definite) in the cerebral sulci, sylvian fissure, basal cistern, and cisterns of the posterior fossa. We also compared FLAIR MR images of 28 patients with those of 35 normal subjects, and then the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of FLAIR MR image for detection of acute SAH were calculated. RESULTS: FLAIR MR image was superior to CT in detecting SAH in the posterior fossa (1.41+/-.74 vs 0.78+/-.80; p<0.05) and cortical sulci(1.11+/-.80 vs 0.70+/-.83; p<0.05). There was no significant difference between FLAIR MR image and CT in detecting SAH in the basal cistern and sylvian fissure. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of FLAIR MR image for detection of SAH were 100% in all. CONCLUSION: FLAIR MR image is useful in detecting acute SAH, especially in patients with small amount of SAH or SAH in the posterior fossa.

Fractures of the Nasolacrimal Fossa and Canal: CT Findings and Clinical significance

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the CT findings of nasolacrimal fossa and their clinical significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine of 116 patients who underwent facial CT scanning after trauma showed evidenceof nasolacrimal fracture. We retrospectively analyzed CT findings to evaluate fracture patterns of thenasolacrimal fossa and canal and associated facial fractures. To determine the frequency of associatedcomplications, clinical records were reviewed were reviewed. RESULTS: Three types of fracture were identified:avulsion, comminuted, and linear Forty-one nasolacrimal fractures, 20 of which involved the nasolacrimal fossa and21 the nasolacrimal canal, were found in the 29 patients. Of the 20 fractures involving the nasolacrimal fossa,ten were avulsion, eight were linear, and two were comminuted. Seventeen of 21 fractures involving thenasolacrimal canal were comminuted and four were linear ; all nasolacrimal fractures were associated with otherfacial fractures. Twenty-five of 29 fractures were the complex midfacial-type (naso-ethmoid) ; the remaining fourwere simple and unilateral. Nasolacrimal sac and dvct-related complications were documented in only two patients ;they experienced epiphora associated with avulsion fracture of the nasolacrimal fossa, though the problem wasresolved by conservative treatment without surgery. CONCLUSION: Fractures of the nasolacrimal fossa and canalwere accompanied by simple or complex facial fractures. Injury-associated complications were rare, and all wereassociated with avulsion fractures of the nasolacrimal fossa.

Injury of Anterior Cruciate Ligament with Associated Bony Lesions: MR Image

PURPOSE: To evaluate the characteristic MR findings in injury of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) with associated bony lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed MR findings and the corresponding arthroscopic or operative results of 48 patients with ACL injuries, and evaluated ACL signal intensity and contour. In associated bony lesions, we determined the location of avulsion fracture and bony bruise. RESULTS: Cmplete ACL tears were seen in 27 cases, partial tears in 13, and avulsion injury in eight. Complete tears showed heterogeneously increased signal intensity with contour bulging in ten cases (37 %), and combined bony lesion in 14 (52 %). ACL with a thin continous low signal intensity band surrounding heterogeneously-increased signal intensity suggested partial tears, and was seen in three of 13 proven cases (23 %) of partial ACL tears ; combined bony lesion was seen in four such cases (31 %). There were eight cases of avulsion fracture ; the most frequent site was the anterolateral portion of the tibial spine (n=6). The most frequent sites of bony lesion were at the midportion of the lateral femoral condyle (n=6), and the posterior portion of the lateral tibial plateau (n=6) ; the next most frequent site was the anterior portion of the lateral tibial plateau (n=5). CONCLUSION: Tearing of the ACL was seen on MRI as ligament discontinuity, and heterogeneously increased signal intensity with ACL contour bulging. The most frequent sites of associated bony lesions were the midportion of the lateral femoral condyle, and the posterior portion of the lateral tibial plateau. In associated bony lesions, bony contusion suggested ACL tearing, but avulsion fracture suggested ligament avulsion injury without tear.

Diagnostic value of CT myelography in lumbar disk herniation; comparison with myelography

No abstract available.

Low-attenuation mediastinal masses on CT

No abstract available.

The accuracy of sonographic measurement

Sonographic measurements often give considerable diagnostic significance. However, large discrepancy betweenthe real anatomic sizes and sonographic measurements could cause an incorrect diagnosis. Authors carried out aseries of experiment using a phantom and two scanners and the results are as follows: 1. There is a littledifference in errors between two scanners, and the mesurement does not almost always correspond to the realdistance. 2. The rates of errors of the measurements are almost fixed regardless of the positions of thereflcetors. 3. There is no relationship between the transducer MHZ and error rate. 4. As the error is derived from the scanner electronics it is necessary to calibrate the scanner periodically, and if not calibrated one shouldconsider the error rate of the scanner in the anatomical measurement.