Factors That Influence Educational Effectiveness and Learning Satisfaction in Biomedical Research Programs during Premedical School / 의학교육논단

Although student research programs have been implemented worldwide, research programs during premedical school have unique characteristics. The purpose of this study is to evaluate factors that influence the effects of premedical school research programs. Eighty second-year premedical students at Pusan National University were included in the study. Effect elements and influential factors were extracted through reference reviews and in-depth individual interviews. A Likert scale questionnaire was developed using the extracted elements and factors, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to analyze the reliability of the survey. The mean value and the standard deviation for each question were calculated to evaluate education effectiveness and learning satisfaction, and the influence of each factor on effect was analyzed using correlation analysis. Students' research skills and knowledge were improved in the short term; however, interest in research or in a career as a researcher did not increase. Student interest, participation, and contributions were important factors. Among professors, passion, considerateness, and teaching method including the level of lesson were influential factors. Implementation of curriculum and support and guidance were influential as well, whereas evaluation system was not a factor. To improve student research programs, several factors that influence education effectiveness and learning satisfaction should be considered.

The Assessment of Pulmonary Function in Dental Technicians / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Dental technicians are exposed to various toxic materials in the workplace. The objectives of this study were to assess the pulmonary function of dental technicians and to evaluate the association between work-related factors and pulmonary function of dental technicians. METHODS: Study subjects were 209 dental technicians in the Korean Dental Technologist Association. A self-report questionnaire including general characteristics, respiratory symptoms, and work-related characteristics was conducted on study subjects, and a pulmonary function test (PFT) was done. Study subjects were classified into two groups(normal and abnormal pulmonary function) based on the pulmonary function test (PFT). RESULTS: 43 subjects (20.6%) among 209 subjects had abnormal pulmonary function. After adjusting for general characteristics such as age, sex, past medical history, familial history, and smoking status, the odds ratio for work duration (per year) was 1.42(95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14~1.83). After adjusting for general and work-related characteristics, the odds ratio for work duration (per year) was 1.48(95% CI 1.18~1.92). CONCLUSIONS: Dental technicians are exposed to hazardous materials, which might lead to abnormal pulmonary function. A long work duration could increase exposure time, thereby increasing the chance for abnormal pulmonary function. Therefore, pulmonary function tests should be carried out periodically in dental technicians to ensure their pulmonary health.

A Ten-year Survey of Giardia Cysts in Drinking Water Supplies of Seoul, the Republic of Korea

To understand the distribution of Giardia cysts in drinking water supplies in Seoul, Korea, we collected water samples quarterly at 6 intakes in the Han River, its largest stream and 6 conventional water treatment plants (WTPs) serving drinking water, from 2000 to 2009. Giardia cysts in each of 10 L water were confirmed in 35.0% of intake water samples and the arithmetic mean was 1.65 cysts/10 L (range 0-35 cysts/10 L). The lowest cyst density was observed at Paldang and Kangbuk intakes, and the pollution level was higher at 4 intakes downstream. It seemed that these 4 intakes were under influence of Wangsuk stream at the end of which cysts were found in all samples with the mean of 140 cysts/10 L. The annual mean number of cysts was 0.21-4.21 cysts/10 L, and the cyst level at the second half of the 10 years was about 1/5 of that at first half on average. The cysts were more frequently found in winter, and their mean density was 3.74 cysts/10 L in winter and 0.80-1.08 cysts/10 L in other seasons. All finished water samples collected at 6 WTPs were negative for Giardia in each of 100 L sample for 10 years and cyst removal by physical process was average 2.9-log. It was concluded that conventional water treatment at 6 WTPs of Seoul appears to remove the cysts effectively under the present level of their source water. Domestic wastewater from the urban region could be an important source of Giardia pollution in the river.

A Survey of Cryptosporidium Oocysts in Water Supplies during a 10-Year Period (2000-2009) in Seoul

This study has been conducted to estimate the occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in water supplies in the Metropolitan area of Seoul, South Korea, for 10 years from 2000 to 2009. Water samples were collected quarterly at 6 intakes in the Han River and its largest stream and 6 conventional Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) serving drinking water for 10 million people of Seoul. Cryptosporidium oocysts were found in 22.5% of intake water samples and arithmetic mean was 0.65 oocysts/10 L (range 0-22 oocysts/10 L). Although the annual mean of oocyst number was as low as 0.04-1.90 oocysts/10 L, 3 peaks in 2004 and 2007 were observed and the pollution level was a little higher in winter. The lowest density was observed at Paldang intake and the pollution level increased at Kuui and Jayang intakes. At the end of the largest stream, oocysts were found in 70% of collected samples (mean 5.71 oocysts/10 L) and it seemed that its joining the Han River resulted in the increase at Kuui intake and downstream. Oocyst removal by physical process exceeded 2.0-2.3 log and then all finished water samples collected at 6 WTPs were negative for Cryptosporidium in each 100 L sample for 10 years. These results suggested that domestic wastewater from the urban region could be a source of Cryptosporidium pollution and separating sewage systems adjacent to the intakes could be meaningful for some intakes having weakness related to parasitological water quality.

The Association of Cardiovascular Risk Factors with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Health Checkup Examinees / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of nonalcoholic fatty liver and cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: This study was conducted to investigate the association of nonalcoholic fatty liver and cardiovascular risk factors for adult men (n=2976) and women (n=2442) who were over 19 years old, after excluding the HBsAg(+) or anti-HCV(+) patients and the men and women with increased alcohol intake (men: 40 g/week, women: 20 g/week). RESULTS: Compared with the normal liver subjects, the nonalcoholic fatty liver subjects showed a significantly increased frequency of abnormal systolic blood pressure (> or =120 mmHg), fasting blood sugar (> or =100 mg/dL), total cholesterol (> or =200 mg/dL), triglyceride (> or =150 mg/dL), high density lipoprotein cholesterol ( or =130g m/dL) and abdominal obesity in men, and all these measures were significantly increased in the women except for abnormal HDL cholesterol. After adjusting for the body mass index, age, smoking, exercise and a nonalcoholic liver, the odds ratios of an abnormal waist hip ratio were 1.35(95% Confidence Interval=1.05-4.72) in the mild fatty liver, 1.61(1.19-2.18) in the moderate fatty liver, 2.77(1.57-4.92) in the severe fatty liver compared with a normal liver. The adjusted odds ratios for abnormal fasting blood sugar were 1.26(1.03-1.53) in the mild fatty liver, 1.62(1.27-2.06) in the moderate fatty lliver and 1.77(1.12-2.78) in the severe fatty liver. The adjusted odds ratios for abnormal triglyceride were 1.38(1.11-1.72) in the mild fatty liver, 1.73(0.33-2.24) in the moderate fatty liver and 1.91(1.17-3.10) in the severe fatty liver of men. Adjusted odds ratios for abnormal triglyceride were 1.50(1.04-2.15) in mild, 1.71(1.07-2.68) in moderate, 1.81(0.69-4.38) in severe fatty liver of women. CONCLUSIONS: The nonalcoholic fatty liver subjects had more cardiovascular risk factors compared with the normal liver subjects. Thus, prevention and treatment of the nonalcoholic fatty liver is necessary by lifestyle modifications such as restriction of alcohol intake, no smoking, exercise and adequate eating habits.

Study of Prostatic Disease and Symptom between Special Occupation Groups(Taxi Driver, Barber) / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: To compare symptoms of prostatism and their causes between two occupation groups with different working environment and position: one group of tarsi drivers working mainly in sitting position under constant stress and another group of barbers working mainly in standing position. MATERIALS AND METHOD: 405 taxi drivers and 110 barber participated in prostatic disease screening program. 93 patients with prostatic symptom were also enrolled in this study. All participants underwent IPSS self-assessment, digital rectal examination, urinary flow rate, transrectal ultrasound and prostatic cancer screening test (PSA, and if necessary, prostatic biopsy). RESULTS: IPSS were similar in taxi drivers group and patient group, whereas it was significantly lower in barbers group. Mean maximal flow rate was similar in both taxi drivers and patient groups, but significantly higher in barbers group. Incidence of abnormal voiding pattern was significantly higher in taxi drivers group compared to other groups. TRUS showed higher incidence of calcification and ejaculatory duct abnormality in taxi drivers group compared to other groups. Prostatitis and prostatodynia combined were more prevalent in taxi drivers group than in barbers groups. CONCLUSIONS: Taxi drivers working in a constrained environment of prolonged sitting exposed to a lot of stress, pelvic floor tension and abstinence of urine had more diverse voiding symptoms and greater prevalence of prostatitis and prostatodynia than barbers group.

A Case of Acute Interstitial Keratitis with Congenital Syphilis

Since the time of Jonathan Hutchinson(1858~63), it has been known that over 90% of cases of diffuse interstitial keratitis occur in syphilitic patients. Interstitial keratitis is due to acquired syphilis in 4% of cases and the other 6% of cases due to tuberculosis, sarcoid, trypanosomiasis, onchocerciasis and other rare infections. After the introduction of penicillin by Mahoney et al. in 1943 for syphilis therapy, syphilis epidemy was sharply decreased throughout the world. However, during the middle 1950's the incidence of syphilis began to increase throughout the world. In Korea. the syphilis incidence has been increased since around 1963-1965 in parallel with the world trends(Kim and Lew 1968). A 6 year old Korean girl has been found to have bilateral acute interstitial keratitis and a positive serological test for syphilis.

Lattice Corneal Dystrophy

Lattice corneal dystrophy, a bilateral familial disease with dominant inheritance pattern s characterized clinically by a latticework of filaments and fine nodular opacities with sparing of the peripheral two or three mm of the cornea. The filaments are in the superficial stroma, with the nodular opacities located in both subepithelial and superficial stromal area. In the advanced cases the lines become centrally more confluent and the cornea in this area is quite hazy. The earliest appearance of the dystrophy in affected individuals is usually at the end of the first decade. Many affected individuals develop marked visual impairment by 40 years of age. Corneal sensation is considerably decreased or lost over the central area but as a rule it remains normal in the clear peripheral. It is now considered by many to be a hereditary form of primary localized amyloidosis. The only effective treatment is corneal transplantation. A 52 year old Korean woman has been found to have bilateral lattice dystrophy of the cornea.

Orbital Abscess Simulating Orbital Tumor

The authors have experienced with a case of orbital abscess that was thought to be an orbital tumor. The patient was a 5 year old Korean boy who had exophthalmos in the right eye, but he did not have definite signs of inflammation. On the orbital venogram, there was a space occupying lesion in the lateral and posterior portion of the right eye. To obtain the precise diagnosis of the lesion, we made a surgical approach and drainage of the pus was performed. The pus culture yielded coagulase-positive Staphylococcus. The literature relating to orbital abscess was briefly reviewed.

Renal Papillary Necrosis / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Diabetes mellitus, obstructive uropathy and urinary infection were considered to be most important in the etiology of renal papillary necrosis in the past literature. However, since 1953, Spuhler and Zollinger reported an association between phenacetin abuse and renal papillary necrosis, the most frequent cause of renal papillary necrosis has been diabetes mellitus, while analgesic abuse (contained phenacetin) has been the second most common factor in recent reports. In the more recent literature, most of the patient have had neither obstructive uropathy nor urinary infection, and it is quite possible that there two condition are of no direct etiological significance. But in this case, we can not suggest definite etiological factor except urinary infection clinically. Only one case is reported showing clinical manifestations laboratory findings, pyelographic findings and pathological changes compare with previous papers.

Seminoma of the Cryptorchism / 대한비뇨기과학회지

A case of seminoma of the cryptorchism, found in 34 years old Korean male is reported. In Campbell's series, the incidence of malignancy in cryptorchism is claimed to be 35 times greater than in the normally descended testicle. A case of seminoma of the cryptorchism is added to literature.