The work-relatedness at a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a radiation oncologist

BACKGROUND: Clinicians who perform radiation therapy (RT) are exposed to radiation, which may negatively affect their health. The present study reports a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a healthcare provider who was exposed to radiation at work; we also present a literature review of this topic. CASE PRESENTATION: A 45-year-old patient, who had been a radiation oncologist and had been exposed to radiation while performing brachytherapy 10 years ago, complained of chest pain and was suspected of having leukemia based on the results of a blood test in an outpatient clinic. He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and subsequently underwent chemotherapy. However, the case died during treatment. Through epidemiological investigation, it was found that the case's cumulative exposure dose based on personal exposure and spatial dose measured during the work period was in the range of 6.08–12.15 mSv. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the following considerations, acute lymphoblastic leukemia was highly correlated with the level of radiation to which the case was exposed while performing brachytherapy on patients with cancer. Firstly, the latent period of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the case closely matched the latency time reported in previous published studies (5–10 years). In addition, numerous studies have reported significantly higher relative risks of cancer among clinicians who perform RT compared with the general population. The case was also atypically exposed to radiation through his hands, despite wearing protective equipment. Lastly, the case's coworkers were also found to have been exposed to high levels of radiation. Investigation into the influence of radiation exposure through atypical routes during RT on the health of clinicians is recommended.

The effect of organisational system on self-rated depression in a panel of male municipal firefighters

OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluated the effects of job stress, including organisational system to self-rated depression through a panel study of male municipal firefighters in the Republic of Korea. METHODS: A panel of 186 municipal firefighters reported self-rated depressive symptoms according to the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The effects of job stress were evaluated using the Korea Occupational Stress Scale, taken one year earlier and classified by the median value. Panel members were classified into Depression or Control groups according to BDI scores, with a cut-off level of \'over mild depression' in a follow-up survey. RESULTS: The Depression group included 17 (9.1%) workers. Firefighters who scored high on occupational system had an 8.3 times greater risk of being assigned to the Depression group than those who had not (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 8.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.73-37.22]). In contrast, job stress from a \'difficult physical environment' revealed negative risks related to being classified in the Depression group (AOR = 0.20, 95% CI = [0.04-0.92]). CONCLUSIONS: Although the healthy worker effect may be involved, job stress based on perceptions of organisational system was a strong risk factor for depression. A comprehensive approach should be considered that encompasses social issues when assessing or mental health in high-risk groups, as well as the practical issue of physiochemical hazards.

The effects of fluoride releasing orthodontic sealant on the shear bond strength of light-and chemical-cured orthodontic resins / 대한치과교정학회지

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of fluoride relasing orthodontic sealant on the shear bond strength of light-and chemical-cured orthodontic resins, compare the sheat bond strenth with light-and chemical-cured orthidintic resins, and to identify the changes of shear bond strength by rebonding in vito. The brackets were divided into eight groups. Each group of metal grackets had different bonding mechanisms with adhesives. Group A : Transbond only Group B : Mono-Lok2 only Group C : Light cured FluoroBond+Transbond Group D : Light cured FluoroBond+Mono-Lok 2 Group E : Transbond only(rebonded) Group F : Nomo-Lok 2 only(rebonded) Group G : Light cured FluoroBond+Transbond(rebonded) Group H : Light cured FluoroBond+Mono-Lok 2(redonded) 65 extracted human premolars were prepared for bonding and 65 metal brackets for each group were bonded to prepared enamel surfaces of buccla surfaces as the above prescription. 24 hours bonding after, the Instron universal testing machine was usedto test the shear bond strength of metal brackets to enamel. After debonding, same kind of metal brackets for each group wrer rebonded to prepared enamel surfaces of buccal surfaces to test the shear bond strength at the rebonding to enamel. Statistical analysis of data was carried out Student's t-test ANOVA test, and Scheffe test using SPSS/PC+. The results were as follows : 1. The order of bond strength was Group B(11.84MPa), Group A(10.75MPa), Group D(9.69MPa), and Group C(9.39MPa) in 1st bonded groups. 2. The order of shear bond stermgth was Group E(7.40MPa), Group G(6.48MPa), Group F(5.89MPa), and Group H(5.15MPa) in rebonded groups. 3. The shear bond strength of chemical cured orthodontic resins had higher than that of light-cured orthodontic resins in all groups, but there was no statistical significance between groups(P>0.05). 4. In rebonded groups, the shear bond strength of light cured orthodontic resins had higher than that of chemical cured orthodontic resins, but there was no statistical significance between grouops(P>0.05). 5. The shear bond strength of all rebonded groups progressively decreased than that of 1st bonded groups, and there was statistical significance between groups(P<0.05, P<0.001).

Effects of Botulinum Toxin Combined with Diltiazem on Blepharospasm and Hemifacial Spasm

We investigated whether symptom-free period(mean response time) could be prolonged when diltiazem, one of the calcium-channel blocker, as a adjuvant was administered with botulinum toxin in blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm. The patients were 10 blepharospasms and 20 hemifacial spasms who had been treating with botulinum toxin injection in our hospital. When they received only botulinum toxin for treatment of blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm, their mean response times were 126.94 +/- 42.74 and 167.32 +/- 52.90 days, respectively. After start combination therapy of diltiazembotulinum toxin, mean response times were prolonged to 163.83 +/- 53.07 (p=0.0446) in patients with blepharospasm, on the other hand, 154.21 +/- 43.36(p=0.2156) days in patients with hemifacial spasm. This study suggests that a combination treatment of diltiazem and toxin may be effective especially when the mean response time is decreased due to antibody production and the local complications are possibly expected in some patients. Present study is meaningful in that it provides a new treatment modality for blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm.

Two cases of ovarian pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

No abstract available.