Changes of Eating Habits of the Residents of Taean, Korea after the Herbei Oil Spill Accident Based on Focus Group Interviews / 대한지역사회영양학회지

Hazardous chemicals, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals, are known as being harmful to human health were included in oils released by the Herbei Spirit Oil Spill accident in December 2007. To investigate changes of eating habits by the exposure to harmful substances, we conducted 5 focus group interviews for residents at Taean coast areas, who had experienced the oil spill accident. Participants included 46 women (mean age: 57.2 +/- 10.9) who were mainly responsible for preparing family meals. Focus group discussions were audio-taped, transcribed and categorized by themes. Participants expressed more frequent illness symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, visual loss, and skin diseases after the accident. They mentioned that their worries about economic hardship and worsened health status since the accident induced mental problems, such as depression about their children. Regarding eating habits, participants reported less intakes of fishes and meats and relatively more intakes of vegetables and kimchi due to the lack of household incomes after the accident. Although the participants had been used to collecting or catching fish or shellfish for their consumption previously, they mainly purchased these foods from local markets after the accident. Changes of eating habits induced by the accident included drinking boiled water and having steamed or fried seafood rather than raw seafood. Changes of food intakes occurred less frequently in older adults due to their long-term fixed eating habits, although they felt uncomfortable for having raw fish. The findings of this study clearly present that the exposure of hazardous substances by the oil spill accident had a significant impact on changes in eating habits besides economic, physical, and mental problems among the residents in Taean. Continuous health and nutrition monitoring and support are needed.

Treatment of O dontoid Fractures with Single Anterior Screw Fixation / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the availability and safety of single anterior screw fixation in the treatment of type II and III odontoid process fractures through an analysis of the treatment outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study analyzed 16 patients who underwent surgery between May 1996 and Oct. 2003 by single anterior screw fixation for type II and III odontoid process fractures with at least a 1 year follow up. The radiographic findings such as the fusion rate, union time, changes in the fracture shape, and metal migration were evaluated. In addition, the Robinson modification criteria were used for the clinical assessment. RESULTS: There were 12 and 4 patients with Anderson and D'Alonzo type II and type III fractures, respectively. Of the 16 patients, 15 (93%) achieved bony union after an average of 13.8 weeks. There were 2 cases of malunion with a normal range of cervical motion, and 1 case requiring posterior fusion as a result of nonunion. A full range of cervical motion was maintained in 11 cases. Three cases had a limitation of less than 25% and 2 cases had a limitation greater than 25%. CONCLUSION: Single anterior screw fixation is an effective treatment modality with a high fusion rate and low complication rates. However, precise preoperative planning and technical experience is essential for preventing unwanted complications.

Symptom prevalence and Primary intervention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and their related factors among manufacturing workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the symptom prevalence and the primary intervention of work-related musculoskeletal diseases(WMSDs) and their related factors among manufacturing workers. METHOD: A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted on 2,457 workers, at 22 enterprises in Chungnam province, Korea, from September 1 to December 1, 2003. The contents of the questionnaire included general and work-related characteristics, musculoskeletal symptoms and workers' past one-year experience of primary interventions. RESULTS 1. The overall symptom prevalence of the musculoskeletal diseases was 23.9%. The WMSD symptom prevalences at the neck/shoulder, arm/elbow, hand/wrist and back/leg were 14.8%. 2.7%. 7.3% and 12.0%, respectively. 2. In multivariate analysis, all WMSD symptom prevalences were high in the high workload, high force & high repetitiveness, and 'high job strain' groups. The WMSD symptom prevalence at neck/shoulder was also high in females and the group experiencing low social support from the supervisor. 3. The rates of the primary interventions were as follows : 13.7% for health education, 5.8% for health counselling, 18.8% for preventive exercise, 24.7% for ergonomic intervention, and 9.8% for administrative intervention. 4. In multivariate analysis, the size of the enterprises and the type of occupational health management system(OHMS) were significantly associated with all primary interventions except health counselling(p or =40 years), irregular employment, and the active group of Karasek's job strain model. Those for the preventive exercise were male, older age, longer tenure and regular employment. Those for the ergonomic intervention were longer tenure, job of physical force and/or repetitiveness, high job stain and the group experiencing high social support from the supervisor. The predictive factor for the administrative intervention was male (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: To establish an effective strategy for the primary prevention of WMSDs, approaches are needed which consider the individual nature of small and medium sized enterprises. IAlso necessary is to promote the participation of labor and management because the activation of the primary intervention was associated with the type of OHMS and union presence. Moreover the reduction of workload and increased intervention into the high risk group could be effective in the prevention of WMSDs.

Gender Difference in Work-related Musculoskeletal Disease / 항공우주의학회지

BACKGROUND: We studied gender difference in prevalence, risk factors, medical management, workplace activities for the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal diseases (WMSDs), and the role of gender in analysis of the factors affecting the prevalence of WMSDs. METHODS: In 3, 339 workers at 29 workplace, questionaire survey was conducted. The questionaire was consisted of personal factors, perceived workload and ergonomic factors (modified KOSHA code H-30), perceived job stress (modified Karasek model). musculoskeletal symptoms, medical management, workplace activities for the prevention of WMSDs. RESULTS: Female workers' overall prevalence of WMSDs (37.4%) was higher than that of male workers (18.9%), and there are many differences in the prevalence by the involved site of the body. The rate of personal risk factors, perceived workload, ergonomic risk factors, and the perceived job stress were higher in female workers than those of male workers. In gender-sensitive multivariate analysis, female worker's prevalence of WMSDs was higher in regular workers (OR=2.08), manufacturing, professional, service workers (OR, 2.25, 3.89, 3.26, respectively)). It was also associated with higher perceived workload (OR, 1.48~1.74), higher ergonomic risk (OR, 1.86~3.65), high job demand (OR=1.62), and low social support by co-workers (OR=1.29). The prevalence of WMSDs of male workers was higher in people living with dependent (OR=1.39), manufacturing workers (OR=1.54), but lower in service workers (OR=0.54). It was also associated with high workload (OR=1.98), higher ergonomic risk (OR, 3.26~5.55), and lower job control (OR=1.39). CONCLUSION: These results showed that female workers' high prevalence of WMSDs is the reflection of 'gendered' workplace, i.e. all aspects of WMSDs have profound association with gender from risk factors to medical management. Therefore, gender-sensitive analysis can reveal more realistic factors affecting WMSDs, and provide more valuable implications in prevention of WMSDs.

Distribution of Mast Cells in the Rat Tympanic Membrane and Eustachian Tube / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mast cells are widely distributed in the loose connective tissue and their predilection sites are the portals of entry into the host. It seems possible that mast cells play an important role in the eustachian tube as a gate of the middle ear cavity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of mast cells in the rat tympanic membrane and eustachian tube. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The tympanic membrane and eustachian tube of rats (5) were used in this study. The specimens of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues (4 micrometer) were observed by staining with toluidine blue. RESULTS: In the tympanic membrane mast cells were observed mainly just beneath the keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium of the tympanic membrane. Mast cells were also distributed in the connective tissue of the eustachian tube. Most of the mast cells were found adjacent to vessels and glands. The density of mast cells beneath the mucosal epithelium of the eustachian tube was significantly lower than that in deep connective tissue layer. Their presence in the eustachian tube was less prominent than in the tympanic membrane. CONCLUSION: It seems reasonable to suggest that mast cells in the tympanic membrane and eustachian tube are important in responding to continuous stimuli of the tympanic cavity.

Immunohistochemical Localization of Alpha 1-antitrypsin in the Rat Eustachian Tube and Tympanic Membrane / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The major antielastase involved in preventing breakdown of elastic fiber in the airway is alpha 1-antitrypsin. In this regard, the eustachian tube may have the protease (elastase)-antiprotease (alpha 1-antitrypsin) system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde. After fixation, the eustachian tube containing a part of middle ear was transfered to a 0.1 M EDTA solution, followed by embedding in paraffin wax. The avidin-biotin-peroxidase procedure was used to identify alpha 1-antitrypsin. RESULTS: The immunoreactivity for alpha 1-antrypsin in the eustachian tube appeared strongly in the cilia of pseudostratified columnar epithelium and serous cells of the submucous glands. In the tympanic membrane, it was distributed selectively in the inner mucosal epithelium. The strong immunostaining was also noticed in the glands of external auditory canal. CONCLUSION: We found that elastic fibers and alpha 1-antitrypsin in the eustachian tube and tympanic membrane may be interrelated to the maintenance of the normal function of the middle ear.

Endoscopic Surgery for Paranasal Sinus Mucocele / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND: Mucoceles of the paranasal sinus are slowly expanding epithelial lined lesions containing inspissated mucus that may erode bone and extend intraorbitally or intracranially. Mucoceles are thought to arise as a result of obstruction of the sinus ostium secondary to inflammation, fibrosis, trauma, previous surgery, or a mass lesion. Mucoceles most frequently arise from the frontal sinus and anterior ethmoid air cells, presenting with proptosis, frontal headaches, and reduced ocular mobility, especially on upward gaze. OBJECTIVES: The surgical approach to paranasal sinus mucoceles has followed two lines. The first is radical exenteration of the mucoceles and its whole lining: the other is marsupialization, leaving part of the lining intact. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This paper was analyzed 9 cases of paranasal sinus mucoceles which had operated in Chonbuk National University Hospital between January 1992 and August 1996. Eight cases were treated via intranasal endoscopic sinus surgery and one case via extranasal approach. RESULTS: There were no significant complications following surgery with a follow-up of 5 months to 2 years. CONCLUSION: So, we report the clinical findings, surgical treatment of 9 cases of mucoceles with review of literature.