The Relationship between Insomnia and Somatization According to Types of Work of Firefighters / 정신신체의학

Objectives@#：Firefighters are always under stress due to their job environment, and they are likely to become psychologically vulnerable due to continuous exposure to traumatic events, which is a stressful situation that requires emergency standby at all times. The aims of this study were to examine mental health factors for each division of firefighters and to see the relationship between sleep and somatization symptoms among them. @*Methods@#：General characteristics and related inspections were conducted through self-reporting questionnaires for 1,264 firefighters working at Chungbuk fire stations. Several mental health factors were investigated by the Insomnia Severity Index, Severity of somatic symptoms, Impact of Event Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Resilience Scale, Alcohol Dependent Screening Scale, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Depression Scale and Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. @*Results@#：Among the mental health variables, the relationship between insomnia and somatization varies significantly depending on types of work. It was reported that the first aid team was significantly higher than the fire suppression and rescue team. Post-traumatic stress, depression and drinking also differ significantly depending on types of work. The first aid team reported more posttraumatic stress than the fire suppression team and more depressed mood than the rescue team. The administration part had more alcohol consumption than the fire suppression or first aid team. Resilience was significantly higher in the rescue team than the first aid team. No significant differences between the types of work about stress and suicide risks. Insomnia, stress, and post-traumatic stress were significant predictors of somatization among firefighters. Above all, insomnia was significant mental health variable affecting somatization. @*Conclusions@#：Various mental health factors were different according to the types of work in firefighters. The First aid team was more vulnerable to mental health variables such as insomnia and somatization than other divisions. Insomnia is the most important cause of somatization in firefighters, so it is recommended that they be treated for insomnia and to prepare institutional policies.

Media Use and the Cancer Communication Strategies of Cancer Survivors

Communication related to health not only substantially affects perceptions and behaviors related to health but is also positively associated with the extent of health-information seeking and the practice of preventive behavior. Despite the fact that the number of cancer survivors has increased dramatically, there are few studies of the lack of health information, factors which act as barriers, and the difficulties in follow-up care experienced by cancer survivors. Therefore, we reviewed media utilization and the types of media used by cancer survivors with regard to risk communication and suggested appropriate strategies for cancer communication. According to the results, health communication contributed to health promotion by providing health-related information, consolidating social support factors such as social solidarity and trust, and reducing anxiety. In particular, participatory health communication may establish preventive programs which reflect the needs of communities, expand accessibility to better quality healthcare, and intensify healthy living by reducing health inequalities. Therefore, when people do not have an intention to obtain cancer screening, we need to intervene to change their behavior, norms, and degrees of self-efficacy. The findings of this study may help those involved in building partnerships by assisting in their efforts to understand and communicate with the public.

Immunodetections of the Metalloproteinase (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases (TIMP-2) in Prostatic Adenocarcinomas / 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The metalloproteinases (MMP) and their inhibitors (TIMP) have been suggested to play a role in tumor invasion and metastasis. There have been some dispute on the exact role of TIMP and MMP in tumor progression. The purpose of this study is to prove TIMP expression in relation with prevention of tumor progression including invasion or metastasis with MMP expression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have performed immunohistochemical staining of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 on 15 cases of benign prostatic hyperoplasia (BPH), and 30 cases of prostatic carcinomas which were classified as angio or neural invasion positive (PC-2) and negative group (PC-1). RESULTS: MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-2 were not detected in BPH. PC-2 pateints had higher levels of collagenases than BPH, while PC-1 patients had higher levels of TIMP-2 and lower levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 than PC-2. Expression of TIMP-2 were inversely proportional to collagenases. CONCLUSION: We conclude that highly invasive prostatic carcinoma (PC-2) contained relatively high levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and low amounts of TIMP-2. These results are discussed with respect to the possible role of MMPs and TIMP in prostatic tumor progression.