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Seo, S.-C.; Kim, H.-J.; Hwang, T., and Lee, W.-D., 2023. Storm wave characteristics during Typhoons Maysak and Haishen on the east and south coasts of Korea. Journal of Coastal Research, 39(1), 129–142. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. Typhoons Maysak and Haishen, the ninth and tenth typhoons of 2020, ravaged the Korean Peninsula within an interval of only 4 to 5 days. In the vicinity of the peninsula, these two typhoons exhibited unusual northward movement paths as they made landfall on the south coast of Korea and exited off the east coast. The storm waves caused by these typhoons damaged a number of structures along the east and south coasts, particularly by overtopping and flooding. In this study, storm waves were estimated by applying the wind fields caused by Typhoons Maysak and Haishen in the third-generation wave model Simulation WAves Nearshore (SWAN), and results were verified through a comparison with wave observation data. The storm wave characteristics were analyzed mainly based on the east and south coasts, which were damaged by high waves that accompanied the typhoons. In addition, the deep-water design wave specifications around the Korean Peninsula revised in 2019 were compared with the storm waves that occurred during Typhoons Maysak and Haishen as calculated by the SWAN model. Consequently, during the onslaughts of Typhoons Maysak and Haishen, storm waves corresponding to more than 90% of the deep-water design wave heights for the 50 year return period were estimated at grid points on the East Sea and Ulleungdo Island of Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Garnet amphibolites with relics of mafic granulite occur within the Precambrian Odaesan Complex and the Paleozoic Taebaeksan Basin on the Korean Peninsula. Atoll garnets and symplectites after garnet are locally developed in the mafic rocks. In order to constrain the metamorphic–metasomatic garnet decomposition, we undertook mineral equilibria modeling using pressure (P)–temperature (T)–fluid composition [ X CO 2 ; CO2/(CO2 + H2O)]–bulk–rock composition (XBC) pseudosections that were calculated in the Na2O–CaO–FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–TiO2–H2O ± MnO ± Fe2O3 ± CO2 system. The integrated thermodynamic pseudosection modeling successfully reproduced the variations in metamorphic mineral assemblages and the reaction textures produced by metasomatism during the exhumation of the mafic rocks. The peak P–T– X CO 2 conditions of the mafic granulite and amphibolite were 9.5–11.0 kbar/670–720 °C at X CO 2 = 0.4–0.5 and 7.0–9.0 kbar/580–630 °C at X CO 2 = 0.4, respectively. Subsequently, during retrogressive metamorphism at 3.5–6.0 kbar and 470–530 °C in the presence of H2O-dominated fluids, the symplectites and atoll garnets were formed by preferential dissolution and/or resorption. Furthermore, fluid-assisted local variations in rock composition (involving Al3+, Fe2+, and Ca2+) also affected the formation of the metasomatic reaction textures around the garnet porphyroblasts. The peak metamorphism with change of X CO 2 occurred during the early Triassic (c. 250 Ma), as inferred from U–Pb zircon age data. Taking into account previous metamorphic and provenance studies on the tectonic environment of the eastern margin of the Korean Peninsula, the sub-isothermal decompressional P–T– X CO 2 –XBC path of the amphibolites and mafic granulites resulted from the amalgamation of microcontinents and the Sino–Korean Craton at a trench–arc setting during the Permian–Triassic orogeny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Taean Formation on the central western margin of the Korean Peninsula contains layered metapelite, quartzo‐feldspathic schist, amphibolite, calcsilicate, and impure marble. The layering was formed by tectonic transposition of the original bedding. The formation has lithologic and isotopic age signatures similar to those of metasedimentary rocks of the Imjingang Belt, which is the eastern extension of the Qinling–Dabie–Sulu Belt, and the depositional age of the formation can be constrained to the Late Devonian. The metamorphic pressure–temperature (P–T) path for the formation is characterized by a high ΔP/ΔT prograde part and subsequent near‐isothermal decompression with peak P–T conditions of 600–620°C and 9.0–10.5 kbar, based on observations of mineral assemblages and phase equilibria modelling. Strong compressional deformation (Dn) produced a N–S‐trending Sn foliation that transposed the earlier Sn–1 and isoclinal Fn folds and was coeval with an episode of medium‐ to high‐pressure amphibolite‐facies metamorphism. The NNE–SSW‐trending left‐lateral Ryeseonggang Fault played a key role in producing the N–S distribution of the metamorphosed forearc deposits along the western coast of the Korean Peninsula. The peak metamorphism and deformation occurred during the early Permian to Early Triassic (276–250 Ma), with retrogression taking place during the Late Triassic (c. 230 Ma), as inferred from new U–Pb zircon age data and previous titanite and muscovite ages for the formation. The clockwise P–T–t (time)–d (deformation) path for the Taean Formation indicates rapid burial during Dn followed by rapid exhumation during the Permian–Triassic collision between the Qinling microcontinent and the North China Craton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the cellular activities of MG63 osteoblast-likecells on modified titanium surfaces. Materials and Methods: MG63 osteoblast-like cells were cultured on titanium disks (n = 20 in each group) with turned, resorbable blast media (RBM)-treated, or anodized surfaces. The surfaces of commercially available implants of Osstem (Osstem Implant) were reproduced for the titanium disks. The morphology of cells cultured on these disks was examined using scanning electron microscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was employed for the analysis of surface chemistry. Specimens were also evaluated with an initial cell adhesion assay to compare initial adhesion, with a methyl tetrazol sulfate (MTS) assay to compare the proliferation ability, and with an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay to compare the differentiation ability. Statistical significance of the differences was determined using the Kruskal-Wallis test for the cell adhesion assay and analysis of variance for the MTS and ALP assays. Results: Attached cells with more defined lamellopodia and flattened morphology were observed on the anodized and RBM surfaces than on the turned surfaces. The titanium surfaces were all oxidized as titanium oxide and polluted by carbon determinants, as determined by XPS. Anodized titanium surfaces exhibited calcium and phosphorus peaks. Initial cell attachment activity, cell proliferation activity, and ALP activity were higher on the anodized surfaces than on the other surfaces. Cell differentiation on the anodized surfaces at culture day 10 was significantly higher (P < .05) than on the other surfaces. Conclusions: Surface treatment by anodization may improve initial attachment of cells, proliferation ability, and differentiation activity, which play important roles in providing better osseointegration of implants. More rapid and stronger osseointegration of implants may make it possible to offer the best anchorage and shorten the healing time required prior to functional loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ectodermal dysplasia is a hereditary disorder of ectodermal origin. A 12-year-old boy was referred for management of the oral manifestations of his ectodermal dysplasia. An overdenture retained by natural teeth for the maxilla and a double-crown-retained denture for the mandible were made. Double-crown-retained dentures may be modified into complete dentures if the abutment teeth are lost. The patient was instructed to maintain oral hygiene and return periodically for follow-up visits. This report describes a potential routine approach to restoring the appearance, function, and psyche of a growing boy with ectodermal dysplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of Artemisia iwayomogi and Curcuma longa radix is frequently prescribed for liver diseases in TKM. However, the synergic effects of the two herbs on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) have not yet been studied. Therefore, we investigated the anti-NASH effects of the water extract of A. iwayomogi (AI), C. longa radix (CL), and combination of the two herbs (ACE). Hepatic steatosis and NASH were induced in HepG2 cells by treatment with palmitic acid (PA, for 6 h) with/without pretreatment of ACE (25 or 50 μg/mL), AI (50 or 100 μg/mL), CL (50 or 100 μg/mL), curcumin (5 μg/mL), or scopoletin (5 μg/mL). The PA treatment (200 μM) drastically altered intracellular triglyceride levels, total cholesterol, and expression levels of genes related to lipid metabolism (CD36, SREBP1c, PPAR-γ, and PPAR-α), whereas pretreatment with ACE significantly attenuated these alterations. ACE also protected HepG2 cells from PA- (300 μM-) induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis and attenuated the related key molecules including GRP78, eIF2, and CHOP, respectively. In conclusion, we found synergic effects of A. iwayomogi and C. longa on NASH, supporting the clinical potential for fatty liver disorders. In addition, modulation of ER stress-relative molecules would be involved in its underlying mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since every single test has some limitations for detecting toxigenic Clostridium difficile, multistep algorithms are recommended. This study aimed to compare the current, representative diagnostic algorithms for detecting toxigenic C. difficile, using VIDAS C. difficile toxin A&B (toxin ELFA), VIDAS C. difficile GDH (GDH ELFA, bioMérieux, Marcy-l’Etoile, France), and Xpert C. difficile (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, California, USA). In 271 consecutive stool samples, toxigenic culture, toxin ELFA, GDH ELFA, and Xpert C. difficile were performed. We simulated two algorithms: screening by GDH ELFA and confirmation by Xpert C. difficile (GDH + Xpert) and combined algorithm of GDH ELFA, toxin ELFA, and Xpert C. difficile (GDH + Toxin + Xpert). The performance of each assay and algorithm was assessed. The agreement of Xpert C. difficile and two algorithms (GDH + Xpert and GDH+ Toxin + Xpert) with toxigenic culture were strong (Kappa, 0.848, 0.857, and 0.868, respectively). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of algorithms (GDH + Xpert and GDH + Toxin + Xpert) were 96.7%, 95.8%, 85.0%, 98.1%, and 94.5%, 95.8%, 82.3%, 98.5%, respectively. There were no significant differences between Xpert C. difficile and two algorithms in sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV. The performances of both algorithms for detecting toxigenic C. difficile were comparable to that of Xpert C. difficile. Either algorithm would be useful in clinical laboratories and can be optimized in the diagnostic workflow of C. difficile depending on costs, test volume, and clinical needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to compare the oncologic outcomes between treatment strategies for rectal cancer [radical surgery, local excision (LE), and the wait-and-see approach] in radiologic complete responders after neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed rectal cancer patients and included 52 radiologic complete responders after nCRT defined as no residual tumor or residual fibrosis and no suspicious metastatic lymph nodes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Clinicopathologic features and oncologic outcomes were compared according to the treatment strategies. Results: The median follow-up period was 41 months (range, 6-80). Twenty-eight patients underwent radical surgery, whereas 16 underwent LE, and 8 were closely monitored without initial surgery. The pathologic complete response rate was 40.9%. Patients who underwent radical surgery showed better prognosis compared to those who underwent LE or wait-and-see (3-year disease-free survival: radical surgery 85.0% vs. LE 62.5%, wait-and-see 75.0%, p = 0.019; 3-year local recurrence-free survival: radical surgery 96.4% vs. LE 67.0%, wait-and-see 75.0%, p = 0.009). After recurrence, patients who underwent salvage surgery showed a relatively good oncologic outcome. Conclusion: Pursuing LE or the wait-and-see approach instead of radical surgery in rectal cancer patients undergoing nCRT may bring about a detrimental oncologic outcome if clinical complete response is solely determined by MRI. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The criterion of two target lesions per organ in the revised Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) is an arbitrary decision. We assumed that measuring the single largest lesion per organ (modified RECIST 1.1, hereafter referred to as mRECIST 1.1) instead of two (RECIST 1.1) might be enough to assess tumor responses. Methods: We compared tumor response using computed tomography according to the RECIST 1.1 and mRECIST 1.1 in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) who received first-line chemotherapy. Results: A total of 51 patients who had at least two target lesions in any organ according to the RECIST 1.1 were included in the study. The level of concordance in the tumor response between the RECIST 1.1 and mRECIST 1.1 was excellent (k = 0.904). Only 3 patients (5.9%) showed a disagreement of tumor responses between the two criteria. The overall response rate was not significantly different between the two criteria (45.1% by RECIST 1.1 vs. 49.0% by mRECIST 1.1, p = 0.692). Conclusion: The mRECIST 1.1 showed a high concordance with the original RECIST 1.1 in the assessment of tumor response for patients with AGC. Our result suggests that it may be possible to measure the single largest target lesion per organ for assessing tumor response in clinical practice. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the annual incidence of upper tract urolithiasis based on a large population-based study in Korea. This study used a subset of the 2009 Health Insurance and Review and Assessment service-National Patient Sample (HIRA-NPS). The 2009 HIRA-NPS contains data for 1,115,721 patients (711,285 inpatients and 404,436 outpatients) from January 2009 to December 2009. Based on these data, we selected patients who had been diagnosed with urolithiasis using the ICD code and calculated the incidence of urolithiasis. The total number of estimated urolithiasis patients was 219,328. The annual incidence of upper tract urolithiasis was estimated to be 457.02 per 100,000 in the overall population, with 589.09 per 100,000 men and 326.64 per 100,000 women. The male-to-female ratio was about 1.8:1. The annual incidence of urolithiasis in Korea was 457 per 100,000. It is higher than that previously reported in Japan, but lower than that in Western countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of the thermal discharge from a coastal nuclear power plant on the spatial and seasonal variability of nematode assemblages were investigated in the Gori coastal waters of the southern East Sea. Taxonomic and functional approaches were taken to describe the assemblage structure and relate it to the abiotic environment based on a sampling scheme involving three stations and four seasons. The analysis of the nematode communities suggested that heated effluent influenced the assemblage structure or the spatial distribution of the taxa studied. The abundance of the nematodes differed significantly among seasons and stations and the numbers of species also differed significantly between stations. The seasonal variation was greater in winter and summer than in spring and autumn. The numbers of species and their abundances were highest at station 3 (impact station), attributable to the increased bottom temperature. However, the functional diversity of the assemblages did not change notably between stations or seasons. Species such asSabatieriasp. (34%),Linhysterasp. (18%) andParodontophorasp.(11%) were usually dominant in all seasons and at all stations.Parodontophorasp.displayed a significantly negative correlation with the bottom temperature (P<0.05). These results indicate that the nematode species composition was significantly affected by the bottom temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance: CGX is a traditional Korean herbal medicine used to treat chronic liver diseases. Aim of study: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmaceutical safety of hepatoprotective herbal medicine, CGX via systemic 6-month repeated dose toxicity study in SD rats. Materials and methods: Male and female SD rats were administered CGX for 6 months (0, 100, 200, or 400mgkg−1, respectively). The rats were visually inspected for changes in behavior, body weight, food and water consumption, and appearance during the experiment period. At the end of the experiment, urine, hematological, biochemical analysis, and histopathological examination were carried out. Results: No drug-induced abnormalities were found as clinical signs or in the histopathology, hematology, blood biochemistry, and urinalysis results for any administered doses of CGX. Conclusion: The results suggest that CGX is safe and could be considered as an effective and prospective herbal formulation in clinical applications with a wide therapeutic index. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We investigated the mesoscopic and microscopic structural features of the Keumwang fault zone, Korea, to determine the effect of different protoliths (crystalline granitic gneiss and mudrock) on fault zone structure including discrete shear surfaces, shear bands, foliation, porphyroclasts and calcite veins. Overall, in crystalline rock, the shear deformation tends to be localized to a fault core or several fault gouge-dominated layers within the fault zone. The cataclastic flow appears to become stronger toward the fault core. Most of the shear deformation appears to be partitioned between slip on discrete shear surfaces and shear bands, and cataclastic flow, including syntectonic alteration in the fine-grained matrix of fault rocks. In contrast, within mudrocks, shear deformation tends to be relatively uniformly distributed within the entire fault zone. Shearing generates continuous S-foliations throughout the whole fault zone. Most of the shearing is accommodated by slip along these foliations and on discrete shear surfaces distributed within the entire fault zone. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Shearing accompanied metamorphism intensified at the boundary of the Gyeonggi massif. • Deformation-induced plagioclase zoning can cause misleading metamorphic history. • Metamorphism and multiple shearing resulted from multiple amalgamations. • Amalgamation closely related with the late Paleozoic collisional orogeny in Korea. Crustal-scale shear zones developed on the boundaries of the Precambrian Gyeonggi Massif (GM) can play key role on understanding collisional orogeny during the Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic in the Korean Peninsula. Garnet schist formed on the boundary between the GM and Okcheon Metamorphic Belt (OMB) experienced contractional (D n) and extensional (D n+1) shearing combined with a clockwise pressure–temperature–deformation (P–T–d) path. Two distinct mineral assemblages were found in the schists, (1) garnet (pre- and/or syn-D n) + staurolite (syn-D n and/or inter D n and D n+1 , and syn-D n+1) + andalusite (syn-D n+1)-bearing and (2) garnet (pre- and/or syn-D n) + epidote-bearing assemblages, depending on bulk-rock compositions. Various compositions (An 10–40 in the former assemblage and An 45–70 in the latter one) and texture of plagioclase resulted from bulk-rock compositions, heterogeneous strain and dissolution and precipitation during the multiple shearing. The P–T conditions estimated for the early contractional shearing (top-to-the-north reverse shear) are 560 °C–600 °C and 5.5–7.0 kbar based on the intersections between compositional isopleths for pre- and/or syn-D n garnet and plagioclase (An 30–40 & An 45–55) calculated in the MnO–Na 2 O–CaO–K 2 O–FeO–MgO–Al 2 O 3 –SiO 2 –H 2 O and MnO–Na 2 O–CaO–K 2 O–FeO–MgO–Al 2 O 3 –SiO 2 –H 2 O–TiO 2 –Fe 2 O 3 systems. Subsequent extensional shearing (top-to-the-south normal shear) was characterized by recrystallization of fine-grained syn-D n+1 staurolite with growth of syn-D n+1 andalusite porphyroblasts during cooling and decompression to 560 °C and 3.5 kbar. The contractional and extensional shearing probably occurred at the Permian and the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic, respectively, based on the previous geochronological data. Consequently, inferred P–T–t–d paths on the GM–OMB boundary probably suggest not only crustal thickening followed by thinning, but also multiple amalgamations of several terranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of Iksookimia koreensis , we characterized 11 novel polymorphic microsatellite markers developed using next-generation sequencing. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 10 (average = 6.26). Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.333 to 0.866 and from 0.375 to 0.866, respectively. No loci showed significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). These loci were also used successfully to study the genetic diversity of a closely related species, Iksookimia longicorpa . Four of the 11 loci amplified in the two species showed different allele frequency and distribution, indicating deep genetic divergence between I. koreensis and I. longicorpa . The newly developed microsatellite markers reported here will provide a useful tool for examining gene flow, population genetic structure, and genetic diversity of these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We compare the results of laparoscopic total colectomy using left-to-right dissection versus the open approach., Methods: Twenty consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic total colectomy using left-to-right dissection for familial adenomatous polyposis or synchronous colorectal cancer, were matched with 28 patients who underwent an open approach., Results: No patients who underwent the laparoscopic procedure were converted to the open technique. The estimated blood loss was significantly lower in the laparoscopic group than in the open group (P=0.008). Although the operating time in the laparoscopic group was significantly longer (P<0.001), bowel function returned to the patients in this group 2 days sooner on average (P<0.001), and these patients were able to tolerate a soft diet 1 day earlier than the open group (P=0.005). There were no significant differences in postoperative complications between the 2 groups., Conclusions: Laparoscopic total colectomy using the left-to-right approach may be an alternative to open surgery for surgeons experienced with the laparoscopic technique.

Introduction and Hypothesis: This prospective multicenter study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an adjustable mid-urethral sling (MUS) using transobturator adjustable tape (TOA) in women with severe stress urinary incontinence or combined stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and voiding dysfunction (VD)., Methods: One day after placement of TOA, the tension was adjusted. Six months after surgery, changes in several questionnaires and uroflowmetry (UFM) parameters were evaluated., Results: Among the 65 women enrolled in the study, 27 (41.5%) required postoperative tension readjustments. At 6 months, the complete cure rate of SUI was 84.4%, and patient satisfaction with the operation was 86.2%. There was improvement in the total scores on several questionnaires. There were no significant changes in postoperative UFM parameters., Conclusion: Our results support the use of TOA as an effective modality for the treatment of SUI in women at risk for persistent postoperative SUI or obstructive symptoms.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors for urinary incontinence (UI) in middle-aged (35-64 years) Korean women., Methods: This was a cross-sectional, case-control study using a structured self-administered questionnaire. To identify the unadjusted associations of each potential risk factor with prevalence of UI, univariate logistic regression analyses were used. A multiple logistic regression model was then constructed with only those variables that were significantly associated with the UI (p < 0.05) in the univariate analyses. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI)., Results: Of 608 community-dwelling women included in the analyses, 259 (42.6%) met the definition of UI (at least once a month or the amount of more than a few drops lost during the past 12 months). A multivariate regression model was constructed that included the eight variables of age, body mass index (BMI), number of vaginal deliveries, menstrual status, hysterectomy, present hormone use, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus (DM). Obesity (BMI > 25 kg/m(2)), being postmenopausal, having two or more vaginal deliveries, having a history of hysterectomy, and being a current user of hormones increased the odds of having UI., Conclusions: Obesity as defined using Asian-Pacific criteria was a strong risk factor for middle-aged Korean women's UI. More than one vaginal birth caused increased odds of having stress or mixed UI. Hysterectomy, menopause, and hormone replacement were also significant risk factors.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the metabolic abnormalities commonly associated with diabetes and the changes in carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in Korean type 2 diabetic patients who do not have clinically manifest cardiovascular disease (CVD)., Design: In a prospective study, a total of 152 type 2 diabetic patients were recruited from a group of outpatients at the Yonsei University Hospital., Materials and Methods: The carotid IMTs of 152 subjects with type 2 diabetes (mean age 63.5+/-7.0 years) were determined at baseline and after a mean follow-up time of 23.7+/-3.7 months. Fasting plasma glucose, serum total cholesterol (TC), serum triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), HbA1c, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results for 2-h post-challenge glucose (2hPG), and blood pressure measurements were collected every 3 months and averaged., Results: The highest quartiles of baseline C-peptide and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index showed more IMT progression than the lowest quartiles. The change in the mean IMT correlated with average values of HbA1c (r=.219, P=.007), the 2-h post-challenge glucose (r=.239, P=.003), HDL-C (r=-.228, P=.005), LDL-C (r=.175, P=.033), and non-HDL-C (r=.194, P=.016). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the independent risk factor for the mean IMT change in diabetic patients was the average 2hPG level (P=.004). The change in the mean IMT of those in the lowest quartile of average 2hPG (<11.1 mmol/l) was 823+/-176 to 841+/-146 microm (P=.276). In the highest quartile (2hPG >15.3 mmol/l), however, the mean IMT increased from 794+/-127 to 882+/-153 microm (P<.001)., Conclusion: The 2hPG parameter among the various metabolic parameters exerts the greatest influence upon the prevention of carotid IMT progression in type 2 diabetic subjects. The level of 2hPG is an independent risk factor for the progression of carotid IMT in Korean type 2 diabetic patients.

The purpose of this study is to present the information on the duration of treatment and the cost of work-related low back pain. Using the compensation-database for 1997 work-related low back pain (n=9,277), this study estimated the duration of treatment, the cost of work-related low back pain, the relationship between them, and probability of being off treatment at different intervals. The mean and the median of the treatment duration are 252.6 days and 175 days. The mean and the median of the cost of total insurance benefit are 37,700,000 won and 14,400,000 won. The treatment duration of 51% of the study subjects was less than 6 months and their cost accounted for 10.2% of the total insurance benefit. The subjects who were treated more than 24 months were 5.8% but it accounted for 29.2% of the cost. It was found that approximately 50% of the subjects who will remain on treatment at the end of n months would be off treatment at the end of n+5 months. This study presents the point in time when the low back pain (LBP) workers need to prepare to return to work by forecasting their off-treatment period. From the treat duration and cost perspectives, this study may be utilized as evidence for active management of work-related LBP.

Objective: To estimate the magnitude of psychosocial distress and examine eligible factors associated with the development of psychosocial distress in Korean employees, using a nationwide sample., Methods: A total of 6977 workers were recruited from 245 companies. A structured questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographics, health-related behaviors, job characteristics, social support at work, personality traits (locus of control, type A behavior pattern), self-esteem, and psychosocial distress., Results: The results showed that 23% of workers were categorized as high stress, 73% as moderate, and 5% as normal. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that psychosocial distress was more common in younger workers, both male and female. Regular exercise was negatively associated with increase of psychosocial distress. In job characteristics, as expected, low decision latitude, high job insecurity, and low social support at work were related to high psychosocial distress. Personality traits such as locus of control and type A behavior pattern, and self-esteem were more powerful predictors of psychosocial distress than general characteristics, health-related behavior, and job characteristics. There were some gender differences. While men who are less educated and single (unmarried, divorced, and separated) experienced higher levels of psychosocial distress than those who are educated and married, women who feel high job demand experienced higher levels of psychosocial distress than those who feel low job demand., Conclusions: The proportion of the high stress group was higher than expected, and psychosocial factors like social support and personality characteristics (e.g. locus of control, type A behavior pattern and self-esteem) were more significant factors for psychosocial distress than other variables. This finding suggests that some psychosocial factors, especially inadequate social support, low self-esteem and lack of internal locus of control for the development of psychosocial distress, will also operate as an intervention strategy in the worksite stress reduction program. It is strongly required that worksite stress reduction programs should be established in at both occupational and level as well as in individual levels.

Objective: To elucidate the correlates of self-rated fatigue in Korean employees., Methods: The data for 10,176 (men, 7984; women, 2192; mean age, 34.2; SD: 8.8) employees recruited from a nation-wide sample were examined. A structured questionnaire was used to measure the participants' fatigue, sociodemographics (sex, age, education, and marital status), job-related characteristics (work duration, grade at work, work hours, shiftwork, employment type, and magnitude of workplace), and health-related habits (smoking, drinking, coffee intake, and exercise). Two types of measurement for fatigue were used to evaluate the magnitude of fatigue: self-rated question and a standardized measurement tool (Multidimensional Fatigue Scale: MFS)., Results: According to the self-rated fatigue, 32% of employees reported that they felt fatigue for the past two weeks, and 9.6% of males and 8.7% of females had experienced excessive fatigue (6 months or more). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that fatigue measured by MFS was more common in women, younger, college or more graduated, single, and employees who do not regularly exercise. Fatigue was also associated with long work hours, and the size of the workplace (< 1000 employees)., Conclusions: These results suggest that fatigue has been considered as a common complaint, and that it is affected by job-related factors like work hours and the workplace size as well as sociodemographics or health-related behaviors. Further research is needed to clarify the effects of fatigue on adverse health,outcomes, work performance, work disability, sick absence and medical utilization, and to examine the relationship of job characteristics (e.g.: work demand, decision latitude) to fatigue.

The purpose of this study is to present the importance of work-related cerebrovascular and heart disease from the viewpoint of expenses. Using the insurance benefit paid for the 4,300 cases, this study estimated the burden of insurance benefits spent on work-related cerebrovascular and heart disease. The number of cases with work-related cerebrovascular and heart disease per 100,000 insured workers were 3.36 in 1995; they were increased to 13.16 in 2000. By the days of occurrence, the estimated number of cases were 1,336 in 2001 (95% CI: 1,211-1,460 cases) and 1,769 in 2005 (CI: 1,610-1,931 cases). The estimated average insurance benefits paid per person with work-related cerebrovascular and heart disease was 75-19 million won for medical care benefit and 56 million won for other benefits except medical care. By considering the increase in insurance payment and average pay, the predicted insurance benefits for work-related cerebrovascular and heart disease was 107.9 billion won for the 2001 cohort and 192.4 billion won for the 2005 cohort. From an economic perspective, the results will be used as important evidence for the prevention and management of work-related cerebrovascular and heart disease.

Background: To determine whether there is a specific pattern of clinicopathological features that could be used to distinguish -Borrmann type IV gastric carcinoma from other types of gastric carcinoma., Methods: We retrospectively analysed the clinicopathological features of patients with Borrmann type IV carcinoma of the stomach. The results were compared with the features of patients who had other types of gastric carcinoma., Results: The incidence of Borrmann type IV gastric carcinoma was 11.0% (199 patients). A poorly differentiated tumour was found in 120 out of 199 patients (60.3%) with Borrmann type IV gastric carcinoma. The positive lymph node metastasis was found in 150 out of 199 patients (75.4%) with Borrmann type IV gastric carcinoma (P < 0.0001). The incidence of serosal invasion (91.5%) and peritoneal dissemination (37.7%) was significantly higher in these patients. Of the patients with Borrmann type IV gastric carcinoma,161 patients (80.9%) were classified as either stage III or IV at initial diagnosis. The curative resection rate of patients with Borrmann type IV gastric carcinoma was lower than that of patients with other types of gastric carcinoma (P < 0.001). The survival rate was higher in patients with a curative resection(P < 0.001). The 5-year survival rate of patients with Borrmann type IV tumour was lower than that of patients with other types of gastric carcinoma (P < 0.001). The 5-year survival rates were 90.9% for stage I patients with Borrmann type IV gastric carcinoma and 39.5%, 18.6% and 8.7% for stages II, III and IV, respectively (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Improving the prognosis for patients with Borrmann type IV gastric carcinoma requires early detection and a curative resection.

Analyses of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) were performed in an effort to distinguish between two different origins of Pinellia ternata. To determine whether the origin of Pinellia ternata is in China or Korea. RAPD analysis was carried out using ten 20-mer random primers. Although the coefficients of similarity between the DNA of Chinese and Korean accessions of Pinellia ternata were high, distinguishable band patterns were observed in the reaction performed using primer numbers 3, 6 and 10. Primer 3 produced one (410 bp) and primer 6 produced four (410 bp, 350 bp, 300 bp, 250 bp) Chinese Pinellia-specific fragments. Primer 10 produced one (900 bp) Korean Pinellia rhizome-specific fragment. In addition, using PCR-RFLP analysis, different fingerprints were obtained from Korean and Chinese Pinellia ternata respectively. These results suggest that the analyses with RAPD and PCR-RFLP can be used to authenticate the relevant Chinese and Korean herbal medicines.