• Title/Summary/Keyword: Disaster medicine

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A study on the application of drone in firefight field (소방분야의 드론 활용방안 연구 경향 분석)

  • Ha, Kang Hun;Kim, Jae Ho;Choi, Jae Wook
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.22 no.4
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    • pp.321-330
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    • 2021
  • By reviewing domestic and international papers, this study examines various fields in which drones are used, and based on the results, fields are suggested in which drones can be used for the work of firefighters. Overall, the research results show that drones are most commonly used for search (51%), disaster and fire monitoring (35%), and delivery (14%). Specifically, in the search field, using a drone is more efficient in terms of manpower, equipment, time, and cost than using people, which is the current practice. Secondly, in disaster and fire monitoring, drones can analyze and identify disasters and fire sites in real time. Therefore, it was confirmed that the use of drones is helpful in securing the safety of firefighters and identifying a disaster site. Third, research in logistics shows that drones can secure the so-called golden time in emergency situations by delivering rescue and relief supplies, emergency medicine, and blood in short order. In a rapidly changing disaster environment, and considering aging in firefighters, this study is meaningful in that it promotes drone utilization in the firefighting field by investigating basic data on drone utilization plans.

A study on the mental health of students at a medical school during COVID-19 outbreak: a retrospective study

  • Kim, Yu Ra;Park, Hye Jin;Koo, Bon-Hoon;Hwang, Ji Young;Lee, Young Hwan
    • Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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    • v.39 no.4
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    • pp.314-321
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    • 2022
  • Background: In this study, the degree of anxiety, depression, and stress caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was identified, as well as the need for psychological prevention measures among medical students in the Daegu region that was designated the first special disaster area due to the spread of COVID-19. Methods: The subjects of this study were 318 medical students in Daegu who voluntarily participated in an online test using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Impact of Event Scale-Revised Korean version. As a result of the test, risk students received immediate telephone counseling, and the effect of this telephone counseling was analyzed. Results: There were no differences in depression, anxiety, or stress according to gender and grade. As a result of immediate telephone counseling for risk students, significant differences were found in depression, anxiety, and stress, and the counseling was found to be effective. Conclusion: For medical students who are easily exposed to stress, the importance of psychological prevention measures and effectiveness of non-face-to-face counseling should be recognized. In the field of medical education, we must do our best to build a system that can be used immediately at the appropriate time for these programs.

Dental characteristics on panoramic radiographs as parameters for non-invasive age estimation: a pilot study

  • Harin Cheong;Akiko Kumagai;Sehyun Oh;Sang-Seob Lee
    • Anatomy and Cell Biology
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    • v.56 no.4
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    • pp.474-481
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    • 2023
  • The dental characteristics created by acquired dental treatments can be used as age estimators. This pilot study aimed to analyze the correlation between the number of teeth observed for dental characteristics and chronological age and to develop new non-invasive age estimation models. Dental features on panoramic radiographs (420 radiographs of subjects aged 20-89 years) were classified and coded. The correlation between the number of teeth for each selected code (codes V, X, T, F, P, and L) and age was observed, and multiple regression was performed to analyze the relationship between them. Eleven regression models with various combinations of dental sextants were presented. The model with the data from both sides of the posterior teeth on both jaws showed the best performance (root mean square error of 14.78 years and an adjusted R2 of 0.461). The model with all teeth was the second-best. Based on these results, we confirmed statistically significant correlations between certain dental features and chronological age. We also observed that some regression models performed sufficiently well to be used as adjunctive methods in forensic practice. These results provide valuable information for the design and performance of future full-scale studies.

Hepatitis E Virus Methyltransferase Inhibits Type I Interferon Induction by Targeting RIG-I

  • Kang, Sangmin;Choi, Changsun;Choi, Insoo;Han, Kwi-Nam;Roh, Seong Woon;Choi, Jongsun;Kwon, Joseph;Park, Mi-Kyung;Kim, Seong-Jun;Myoung, Jinjong
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.28 no.9
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    • pp.1554-1562
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    • 2018
  • The type I interferons (IFNs) play a vital role in activation of innate immunity in response to viral infection. Accordingly, viruses have evolved to employ various survival strategies to evade innate immune responses induced by type I IFNs. For example, hepatitis E virus (HEV) encoded papain-like cysteine protease (PCP) has been shown to inhibit IFN activation signaling by suppressing K63-linked de-ubiquitination of retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), thus effectively inhibiting down-stream activation of IFN signaling. In the present study, we demonstrated that HEV inhibits polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C))-induced $IFN-{\beta}$ transcriptional induction. Moreover, by using reporter assay with individual HEV-encoded gene, we showed that HEV methyltransferase (MeT), a non-structural protein, significantly decreases RIG-I-induced $IFN-{\beta}$ induction and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling activities in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, we report here that MeT, along with PCP, is responsible for the inhibition of RIG-I-induced activation of type I IFNs, expanding the list of HEV-encoded antagonists of the host innate immunity.

Critical Reviews of Academic Research and Perspectives for Understanding the Humidifier Disinfectant Disaster (가습기살균제 참사에 관한 학술연구의 비판적 검토와 다양한 관점의 이해)

  • Kim, Jiwon;Bahng, Yewon;Park, Moon Young;Zoh, Kyung Ehi;Choi, Yeyong
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.45 no.4
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    • pp.340-357
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    • 2019
  • The purpose of this paper is to help develop a comprehensive understanding of the humidifier disinfectant disaster from diverse perspectives based on a critical review of the relevant academic research papers published so far in the fields of both natural and social science. The authors reviewed pertinent articles in the six academic areas of law, social science, humanities, medicine, toxicology, and environmental health. A proper understanding of the issue of humidifier disinfectant is a challenging task because diverse aspects of it have become related over the more than two decades since such products were first released to the market in 1994. Technical and esoteric issues such as the complex system for relief and compensation for health damages and the approval of chemical toxicity are known to be major impediments to viewing the bigger picture regarding this tragedy. The authors believe that experts need to consider a comprehensive perspective going beyond their individual research arena to gain a better understanding of this issue, especially since it was an alarm signal on ethics and the role of experts and scholars in Korean society. Besides the two professors arrested by the prosecutor's office, it should be remembered that medical doctors recommended patients use humidifiers and disinfectants, and the media was inactive in reporting on this issue. Furthermore, the current paucity of examination of the social and political implications of this tragedy calls for more active engagement by researchers in the humanities and social sciences. In this regard, this paper is a work of self-examination and self-criticism by the authors that could resonate with the overall academic community.

Factors affecting the Intention to get COVID-19 Vaccine according to Employee's Health Beliefs (직장인의 건강신념이 COVID-19 예방접종 이행의도에 미치는 요인)

  • Kim, Yu-Mi;Jung, Se-Young;Lee, Geun-Chul;Kim, Byoung-Gwon
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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    • v.46 no.4
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    • pp.207-217
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    • 2021
  • Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors in which employee's health beliefs affect their intention to get COVID-19 vaccines. Methods: The participants of this survey were 237 emlpoyees living in Busan. Data were collected using structured online questionnaires from April 26th to May 6th, 2021. The data were analyzed in SPSS WIN version 25.0 using descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square test, multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: At the average score for each area of health beliefs regarding COVID-19, self-efficacy was 4.45 points, perceived sensitivity 4.71 points, perceived severity 3.59 points, perceived benefit 4.46 points, and perceived disability 2.19 points. Monthly income, perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, and perceived benefit were found to be factors affecting the intention to get COVID-19 vaccines. Conclusions: In order to improve the vaccination intention of COVID-19, it is necessary for subjects to recognize the seriousness of the disease, increase their sensitivity to the disease, and actively promote and educate the community about the benefits of vaccination.

Delphi Study on the Reduction of Cross-contamination and Improvement of Management System on Firefighting Protection Suit (소방 방화복 교차오염 저감 및 관리체계 개선을 위한 델파이 연구)

  • Kim, Soo Jin;Ham, Seunghon
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.32 no.2
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    • pp.182-194
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    • 2022
  • Objectives: This study evaluates and recommends the priority of policy implementation to improve the fire protection clothing management system used by firefighters and the reduction of cross-contamination from contaminated clothing at the scene of a fire. Methods: It consisted of 7 experts and conducted three interviews and two modified Delphi surveys. Through the results of previous research and interviews with experts, a plan to reduce cross-contamination of fire suits and improve the management system was first derived. An improvement plan was presented in the four areas including resources, management, fire protection related work, and laws and regulations, and the priority of policy implementation was derived by analyzing the importance and practicality of the policy at the same time. Results: As a result of the analysis, the first priority was education on the health effects of pollutants at the disaster scene for firefighters, and the second priority was the addition of SOP for the primary decontamination of on-scene personal protective equipment in preparation for the health effects of the disaster scene, and education for fire suppression and rescue workers. The next step was to improve the management system of personal protective equipment such as fire suits and develop a training course for systematic operation. Conclusions: This findings could be used in the implementation of mid- to long-term firefighting policies for the systematic operation and establishment of a systematic management system for personal protective equipment such as fire protective suits.

Study of on the "Gu-Hwang-Bon-Cho" of Publish ("구황본초(救荒本草)"의 역대(歷代) 간행(刊行)에 관한 연구)

  • Ji, Myoung-Soon;Kim, Jung Eun
    • Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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    • v.22 no.2
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    • pp.23-35
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    • 2014
  • Gu-Hwang Plants(plants collected from mountains and fields and eaten when no food was available) is healthy, life saving food material, being Mi(taste) and Ki(energy) of nature, for modern people who lose their health by oversupplying energy and unbalanced diet. Also, Gu-Hwang Plants is material for new medicine and functional foods. However, there is a lack of document research about Gu-Hwang plants in Korea. "Gu-Hwang-Bon-Cho" is a book about plants written as a guide for collecting food from nature and maintaining life at times when no food is available due to natural disaster. The book describes in which soils the plants are produced and the names for the plants, and classifies them according to hot and cold characters and sweet and bitter tastes of the plants. In addition, the book distinguished plants' edible parts, such as flower, fruit, root, stem, peel, and leaf, with how to collect and cook them. The book is of great value that it is reprinted over generations and now there are 30 kinds of existing books. This study conducted research based on books published throughout history which are the first book of this kind by Ju-wang-ju, a book published in 1525 by I-Ryeom, a book published in 1555 by Youk-gan, a book published by Ho-seung of Sa-cheon, and a book published in 1566 by Ju-gon.

It Was Possible to Reduce the Pain of the Victims of Humidifier Disinfectant (가습기살균제 피해자의 아픔을 줄일 수 있었다)

  • Kim, Pangyi;Choi, Yoon-Hyeong;Park, YeongChul;Park, Tae-Hyun;Leem, JongHan
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.48 no.1
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    • pp.1-8
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    • 2022
  • Objectives: The purpose of this study is to reveal the circumstances under which the cases of harm to health caused by humidifier disinfectant were neglected and show the points where the number of victims and the degree of damage could have been reduced. In addition, it attempts to describe how damage management proceeded immediately after the incident and actually exacerbated the damage. Finally, it explores the unfortunate aspects of the recent trial. By doing so, it attempts to take this as an opportunity to consider whether a tragic event such as the humidifier disinfectant incident could occur in the future. Methods: This study collected and analyzed data on chemical material characteristics related to humidifier disinfectants, data on health effect characteristics, data on related laws and regulations from the Ministry of Environment, data related to the damage investigation by the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute, and current contents. Results: The lack of related systems and laws is the area where the greatest responsibility for the cause of the humidifier disinfectant disaster falls, so it is difficult for the government to escape this responsibility. Establishing a dedicated department to identify the prevalence of certain diseases within the functions of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service to monitor health can greatly contribute to the prevention and management of diseases through early detection and management of group outbreaks caused by harmful factors. Humidifier disinfectant damage relief should have been expanded earlier beyond HDLI (humidifier disinfectant lung injury) to include non-specific diseases such as asthma, pneumonia, and interstitial pneumonia. The scope of relief benefits should have also been expanded earlier to include the payment of disability benefits. Fortunately, with the 2020 revision of the Special Act, the conditions for estimating causal relations were eased and individual screening systems such as health impact assessment were reorganized along with the introduction of a rapid screening system. Conclusions: The management system for chemical substances in a country is clearly of paramount importance, and the ministry in charge must have a response system in case of damage to health effects. Administration that looks at the victims' situation from their point of view is needed, and technical countermeasures are required to quickly recognize the prevalence of certain diseases.

Recognition of scene activity risks among the firefighters (소방공무원의 현장 활동 위험도 인식)

  • Kim, Jong-Seo;Seong, Dong-Won;Hyeon, Seong-Min;Gal, Won-Mo;Lee, Dong-Ho;Park, Jong-Tae
    • Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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    • v.15 no.4
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    • pp.105-111
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    • 2013
  • This study aimed to identify the recognition of fire risks on their field operations among firefighters and contribute to setting up safety measures accordingly. A self-administered questionnaire were used to evaluate their recognition of job risks. About 93.4% of respondents answered they have exposed to job risks and 73.4% answered that they had high safety awareness. Our study showed that the lower service years and ranks the fire officers had, the lower relevance in statistics their awareness of the risk of the field operations and safety concerns had. The vulnerable group is those aged 20 to 39, with under 10 years of service, at a lower rank of senior fire sergeant. The study suggests coming up with the measures to motivate the officers to perform safe operations by improving their safety awareness.