• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.200-207
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• 2024

Background: Workers are often exposed to hazardous heat due to their work environment, leading to various injuries. As a result of climate change, heat-related injuries (HRIs) are becoming more problematic. This study aims to identify critical contributing factors to the severity of occupational HRIs. Methods: This study analyzed historical injury reports from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Contributing factors to the severity of HRIs were identified using text mining and model-free machine learning methods. The Multinomial Logit Model (MNL) was applied to explore the relationship between impact factors and the severity of HRIs. Results: The results indicated a higher risk of fatal HRIs among middle-aged, older, and male workers, particularly in the construction, service, manufacturing, and agriculture industries. In addition, a higher heat index, collapses, heart attacks, and fall accidents increased the severity of HRIs, while symptoms such as dehydration, dizziness, cramps, faintness, and vomiting reduced the likelihood of fatal HRIs. Conclusions: The severity of HRIs was significantly influenced by factors like workers' age, gender, industry type, heat index , symptoms, and secondary injuries. The findings underscore the need for tailored preventive strategies and training across different worker groups to mitigate HRIs risks.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.67-74
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• 2013

Purpose: Dysmenorrhea is a menstrual condition characterized by severe and frequent cramps and pain. Effective treatment methods for dysmenorrhea are not yet fully understood. This research compares the effects of pain killers and heated red bean pillows. Methods: Data were got on demographic data, menstrual cycle status, and activities of daily living (ADLs) limitations, dysmenorrhea severity and menstrual pain scores. Following a 10% drop-out rate, 44 young women satisfied the inclusion criteria. To prevent any bias, the experimental and control groups were selected from different campuses. We used two sizes of red bean pillows: $13{\times}11.5cm$, weighing 400g; and $15{\times}18cm$, weighing 220g. For analysis, we used IBM SPSS statistics 19.0. Results: Ninety-nine point seven percentage of total subjects reported moderate to severe dysmenorrhea and 63.6% reported as moderate to severe daily activities limitations. The mean pain score with visual analogue scale was $80.2{\pm}9.42$ of 100 and 86.4% used pain killers to alleviate menstrual discomfort in all the subjects. In both groups, all three variables showed significant improvement and the Moos's Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) scores changed significantly between menstrual and post-menstrual time point at within groups and not significantly different at premenstrual and menstrual time point at between groups. However, the MDQ score was significantly higher in experimental group than control group at post-menstruation time point and the degree of satisfaction was higher in the control group. Conclusion: This research shows that red-bean pillows on the abdomen are effective in assisting the ADL and diminishing pain severity. With regard to its safety the study indicates it can be a convenient and safe option for female students with menstrual discomfort in schoolas a non-pharmacological self-help.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.13-22
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• 2011

Objectives: The symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue, cold intolerance, arthralgia, muscle cramps, dry skin and etc. Although hypothyroidism is a relatively common endocrinical disease, we do have many difficulties treating it effectively. The symptoms of hypothyroidism are similar to those of Yang-deficiency in Oriental medicine. Epimedii Herba is a popular herb that has the effect of tonifying the kidney and strengthening Yang in Oriental medicine. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of Epimedii Herba on a hypothyroidism rat model induced by PTU(6-Propyl, 2-thiouracil). Methods: 24 two-month-old Spargue-Dawley(SD) rats were divided into 4 groups: 1) normal(n=6), 2) PTU-induced hypothyroidism control(n=6), 3) hypothyroidism rat treated with Epimedii Herba(n=6), 4) hypothyroidism rat treated with levothyroxine(n=6). PTU was administered for 4 weeks, Epimedii Herba and levothyroxine was administered for 2 weeks after PTU was initiated for a total duration of 2 week. At the end of the experiment, blood samples from all the rats were taken from their hearts and were analyzed. Results: In comparison with normal group, the PTU-induced control group significantly showed hypothyroidism with low T3, T4 and high TSH. In Epimedii Herba group, T4 was significantly increased(p<0.05). There was no significant difference in TSH between the Epimedii Herba treatment group and the control group. And no significant differences were observed in biochemical labs and weight between the Epimedii Herba group and the control group. Conclusions: These results suggest that Epimedii Herba could help thyroid cells to produce thyroid hormones. And no significant side effects related with Epimedii Herba were found, suggesting that it is safe to administer. According to these results, Epimedii Herba may be a safe alternative medicine for hypothyroidism.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.271-302
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• 2017

Objectives : Jakyakgamcho-tang has been used to treat muscular tension, spasm and pain. On this study, new clinical uses of Jakyakgamcho-tang were confirmed and the other pharmacological results were summarized by analysing trends of modern experimental studies and clinical studies. Methods : Papers related to Jakyakgamcho-tang were searched on PUBMED, RISS, and National Assembly Library, and classified by categories and effects of clinical application and a variety of experiment around abstract. Also, figures were used for sketching out a timeline of expressing when these papers were read and core research content was described as a digest for identifying research trends. Results : Until today, there are 104 researches about the antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory effects of Jakyakgamcho-tang. In total, 91 papers were analyzed in this study. In matter of subject, researches on the antispasmodic effects were 17 cases, researches on the analgesic effects were 14 cases, researches on gynecological therapeutics were 14 cases, researches on pharmacokinetics were 12 cases, researches on the constituent identification were 7 cases, studies about constituents efficacy were 6 cases, studies about interactions with drugs were 6 cases. Conclusion : The traditional use of Jakyakgamcho-tang on muscle tension, spasm and pain has proven to have effects through the experimental evidences. Other effects of Jakyakgamcho-tang such as gynecological therapeutics, anti-inflammatory effects, are now emerging as a new area in clinical use. Futhermore as an auxiliary treatment, Jakyakgamcho-tang is a good alternative for muscle cramps during maintenance of hemodialysis, myalgia or arthralgia induced by anticancer drugs, amenorrhea induced by neuroleptics.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.162-175
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• 1999

The study was intended to investigate and explore the preimenstrual symptoms, their severity levels, their patterns and the relationships of the age to those symptoms and patterns among Korean women. The data were collected from 844 women in one highschool, one Nursing college and one Korea National Open University in Seoul, from Nov, 1997 to Jun. 1998. The instruments were the Menstrual Symptoms Questionnaire developed by Chesney and the Center for Epidemiologic studies Depression scale developed by Radloff. the data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Duncan's multiple comparison test, $X^2$-test, simple regression analysis and logistic regression analysis using pc-SAS program. The results were as follows ; 1. Korean women had more symptoms of abdominal bloating, fatigue, abdominal discomfort and backache in perimenstrual period. There Teenages had more symptoms of depression and uterine cramps in the day before or the first day of menstruation. Women in their twenties had more symptoms of abdominal pain or abdominal discomfort, backache, abdominal bloating and the sensitiveness /discomforts in the lower back, abdomen and inner part of thighs. women in their thirties had more symptoms of abdominal bloating, fatigue, tension and nervousness before the menstruation, abdominal discomfort and backpain in the first day of menstruation. Women in their forties had more symptoms of backache, breast discomforts, abdominal pain and discomforts. 2. The severity levels of the perimenstrual symptoms showed the highest score(mean=2.73) in twenties and the lowest score)mean=1.96) in forties The perimenstrual symptom patterns were prevailed the spasmodic menstrual symptoms in teenage and twenties and the congestive menstrual symptoms in thirties and forties. The age was a determinant of perimenstrual symptom patterns and the precipitative equation was log[p(age)/(1-p(age)]=2.7356-0.0982 age. 3. The relationship of the age to perimenstrual symptoms was vanished or lessened, controlling for parity as a test factor. this finding supports the notion that parity is an extraneous variable.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.201-206
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• 2011

Purpose: Westernized eating habits have been associated with earlyage menstruation, which increases the incidence of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome among adolescent girls. We therefore surveyed changes in menarche timing and the general menstrual characteristics of adolescent girls in Seoul, Korea. Methods: We surveyed 538 teenage girls who visited our hospital between July and November 2007. Items explored included age at menarche, general menstrual characteristics, occurrence of premenstrual syndrome and treatment thereof, and an association between present dysmenorrhea and a family history of the condition. Results: Average age at menarche was 12.6 years, with 29% (n=156) subjects beginning menstruation at age 12 years. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 82% (n=435). The main symptoms were abdominal (53.2%) and lower back pain (34.2%), and 15.2% of girls who experienced such symptoms required medication. Present dysmenorrhea, and a family history thereof, were statistically correlated (P<0.05). In addition, 58.8% (n=316) of teenage girls had symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. The most frequent psychological symptoms were fatigue (36.4%) and nervousness (38.7%), whereas the most common physical symptom was menstrual cramps (46.5%). Most subjects (87.6%) tolerated the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome without medication; 11.4% took medicines including painkillers; but only 0.1% of subjects visited a doctor. Conclusion: The average age at menarche in Korean girls was 12.6 years, thus younger than in the past. Most teenage girls experienced dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome, but few consulted a doctor. Organized treatment plans are required to manage menstrual problems in teenage girls.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.172-180
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• 2016

Background: Ischemic heart disease is the most common type of heart disease and an important cause of death in Korea. Among marketed anti-anginal medications, molsidomine, nicorandil, and trimetazidine are approved in Korea with unique mechanism of actions. As these drugs are not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, the access to the up-to-dated and comprehensive safety-related information has been less than optimal from drug information resources used by Korean pharmacists. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using Embase and Korean manuscripts to compile safety updates for these medications. Out of 418 articles from keyword searches, 52 studies were reviewed in full to compare adverse effects (AEs) with the approved package inserts (PI). Results: Molsidomine related adverse effects were mostly mild or moderate, but anxiety, palpitation, epigastric pain, and sexual potency reduction were additional AEs found from the review not listed in PI. Although PI has included ulceration in oral cavity and gastrointestinal tracts including anus by nicorandil, the Korea FDA recently recommended adding corneal, genital, and skin ulcers to the approved PI. Trimetazidine induced Parkinsonism, worsening of the symptoms for patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, gastrointestinal burning, and muscle cramps were additionally identified AEs not listed in PI for trimetazidine. Conclusion: Continuous evaluations of the safety profile of these agents are needed to balance the risks and benefits to provide evidence-based safety counseling to the patients. In addition, more focused efforts on spontaneous reporting are warranted by healthcare professionals to safeguard patients against AEs.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.106-117
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• 1996

This study aims to provide information about the acute poisoning patients transferred by 119 ambulance service for nurses and emergency medical technicians. The data is based on 119 ambulance services patients charts of Seocho area in Seoul. The results were as follows: 1. Total number of emergency patients all over the country has been nearly fourtimes in 1995 compared to 1991. Total number of emergency patients were 322.051 in 1994. 2. About $35\%$ of total E.R. patients were transferred by 119 ambulance services in Seoul in the last 5years. Acute drug intoxication patients occupied $2-3\%$ of E.R. patients in Seoul. 3. About $4\%$ of E.R. patients in Seoul were transferred by 119 E.R. services of Seocho area in Seoul in 1995. Among them $2.4\%$ patients were drug intoxication patients. 4. Data were collected from available patients of 119 ambulance services from Jan. 1993 to Dec. 1995 in Seocho area. Total poisoning patients were 184. - The female/male ratio was 69.7:30.4 and most of patients$(69.7\%)$ were in the age of 20th and 30th. - The busy time of calling 119 ambulance service was from 6P.M. to midnight$(37.5\%)$ - It took within 10 minutes for patients$(62.8\%)$ from notification to arrival in hospital. - Regarding poisoning substances. hypnotics $(22.8\%)$, tranquilizer$(14.7\%)$, agricultural agents$(6.0\%)$ rodenticide$(27\%)$ and others $(10.3\%)$ were in order and unknown were $43.5\%$. - Most of the patients or protector $(72.8\%)$ chose hospitals. Among them $(87.3\%)$ were general hospital. - The most predominant symptoms were coma$(22.3\%)$. dizziness$(6.5\%)$ and then allergy. vomiting. gastrointestinal cramps etc. - Airway management and oxygen administration together was the main medical control of prehospital emergency medical services$(33.7\%)$. It is proposed that first, a systematic survey of drug intoxication patients must be conducted to give an appropriate prehospital emergency care for the emergency medical technician and second, a wide and regular public education to improve understanding of first aids should be undertaken.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.133-143
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• 2005

Shigellosis is a global human health problem. Four species of Shigella i.e. S. dysenteriae, S. flexneri, S. boydii and S. sonnei are able to cause the disease. These species are subdivided into serotypes on the basis of O-specific polysaccharide of the LPS. Shigella dysenteriae type 1 produces severe disease and may be associated with life-threatening complications. The symptoms of shigellosis include diarrhoea and/or dysentery with frequent mucoid bloody stools, abdominal cramps and tenesmus. Shigella spp. cause dysentery by invading the colonic mucosa. Shigella bacteria multiply within colonic epithelial cells, cause cell death and spread laterally to infect and kill adjacent epithelial cells, causing mucosal ulceration, inflammation and bleeding. Transmission usually occurs via contaminated food and water or through person-to-person contact. Laboratory diagnosis is made by culturing the stool samples using selective/differential agar media. Shigella spp. are highly fragile organism and considerable care must be exercised in collecting faecal specimens, transporting them to the laboratories and in using appropriate media for isolation. Antimicrobial agents are the mainstay of therapy of all cases of shigellosis. Due to the global emergence of drug resistance, the choice of antimicrobial agents for treating shigellosis is limited. Although single dose of norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin has been shown to be effective, they are currently less effective against S. dysenteriae type 1 infection. Newer quinolones, cephalosporin derivatives, and azithromycin are the drug of choice. However, fluoroquinolone-resistant S. dysenteriae type 1 infection have been reported. Currently, no vaccines against Shigella infection exist. Both live and subunit parenteral vaccine candidates are under development. Because immunity to Shigella is serotype-specific, the priority is to develop vaccine against S. dysenteriae type 1 and S. flexneri type 2a. Shigella species are important pathogens responsible for diarrhoeal diseases and dysentery occurring all over the world. The morbidity and mortality due to shigellosis are especially high among children in developing countries. A recent review of literature (KotIoff et al.,1999) concluded that, of the estimated 165 million cases of Shigella diarrhoea that occur annually, $99\%$ occur in developing countries, and in developing countries $69\%$ of episodes occur in children under five years of age. Moreover, of the ca.1.1 million deaths attributed to Shigella infections in developing countries, $60\%$ of deaths occur in the under-five age group. Travellers from developed to developing regions and soldiers serving under field conditions are also at an increased risk to develop shigellosis.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.452-460
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• 2000

Aspects of health food intake were investigated by conducting a questionnaire survey with over 480 of adults in Taejon and the data were analyzed by $\chi$$^2$-test, t-test and ANOVA, using an SAS program. Eighty two percent of the subjects had taken some kind of health food. The health foods they took frequently were, for example, health drinks, green tea, ginseng products, dietary fiber drinks, honey, general tea, vitamin B, vitamin C, and tonic medicines. The main reason for taking health foods was recovery from fatigue and the frequency of taking health foods was one time per day. Most of the subjects took health foods without knowledge of their components or effects. When they health foods with a perceived knowledge of their components and effects, they responded that the health foods were very helpful for them. Twenty percent of subjects experienced side effects, such as diarrhea, stomachache, headache, nettle rash, and stomach cramps. Information on health foods was obtained mainly from friends or family. The user group showed higher intention to continue health food intake than non users(p < 0.001). Health foods were taken without any knowledge about them. Health food intake was significantly correlated with consideration of disease, suffering or disease, medical examination, and self-perceived health status, but not with food habits and health food knowledge. As for the results from the adults consumption pattern of health food, an education program should be developed to choose proper health foods according to the consumers dietary life and health conditions. Also a proper guide line should be established to be chosen the authorized health foods.