• Title/Summary/Keyword: Healthy Building

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Isoprostane Characteristics in Sick House Syndrome, Atopy and Asthma Patient

  • Choi, Dal-Woong;Sohn, Jong-Ryeul;Moon, Kyung-Hwan;Byeon, Sang-Hoon;Lee, Jang-Hi;Kim, Hi-Choi;Kim, Young-Hwan
    • Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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    • 2005.06a
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    • pp.289-292
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    • 2005
  • An imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, in favor of oxidants leading to oxidative stress, is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Isoprostanes are structurally stable isomers of the conventional enzymatically derived prostaglandins, which are produced in vivo primarily by a free radical catalyzed peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In asthmatics, disease severity can occur from environmental exposure to air pollution. Some surveys suggested that air pollutants, especially diesel-exhaust particulates, could trigger allergic sensitization and development of atopic diseases. Sick house syndrome (SHS) presents healthy damage owing to the indoor environment of a building. The aim of this study was to examine isoprostane as a parameter fur oxidative stress in environments related diseases such as sick house syndrome, atopy and asthma. We measured plasma and urinary levels of isoprostane from health volunteers, sick house syndrome, atopy and asthma patients. Plasma isoprostane concentrations in asthma and sick house syndrome group were significantly higher than in control. Urinary isoprostane levels were significantly higher in volunteers with sick house syndrome and asthma compared with health volunteers. These findings suggest that plasma and urinary isoprostane measurement may have useful clinical implications for investigating sick house syndrome and asthma. The interventions that decrease exposure to environmental reactive oxygen species might be beneficial in these diseases.

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Role of CCAAT/ Enhancer Binding Protein ${\beta}$ Activation in the Induction of Glutathione S-Transferase A2 by Toluene

  • Choi, Dal-Woong;Sohn, Jong-Ryeul;Moon, Kyung-Whan;Byeon, Sang-Hoon;Kim, Hi-Chol;Kim, Young-Whan
    • Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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    • 2005.06a
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    • pp.341-344
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    • 2005
  • The expression of the glutathione S-transferase (GST), whose induction accounts for antioxidant defense system, is regulated by activation of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein ${\beta}$ ($C/EBP{\beta}$), Sick house syndrome (SHS) presents healthy damage owing to the indoor environment of a building. Toluene has been implicated in one of the important causes of SHS. The present study investigated the effects of toluene treatment on the induction of GSTA2 gene and its mechanism. H411E cells treated with toluene, and GSTA2 expression was determined by immunoblot analysis. The translocation of $C/EBP{\beta}$ was assessed by immunocytochemical assays. $C/EBP{\beta}$ DNA binding activity was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. The role of the C/EBP binding site in the induction of the GSTA2 gene was assessed by luciferase reporter-gene activity. Toluene induced GSTA2 protein expression. In toluene-treated cells, $C/EBP{\beta}$ translocated to the nucleus and bound to the consensus sequence of C/EBP (TTGCGCAA). Toluene treatment increased luciferase reporter-gene activity in cells transfected with the C/EBP-containing regulatory region of the GSTA2 gene. Oxidative stress is believed to play an important role in the induction of GSTA2 gene by toluene This study shows that toluene-induced GSTA2 gene expression is dependent upon nuclear translocation and binding of $C/EBP{\beta}$ to the C/EBP response element in the GSTA2 gene promoter.

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Design Planning of Group-Home for the elderly in Rural Area (농촌형 고령자 그룹홈의 사례와 제안)

  • Nam, Yun-Cheol
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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    • v.17 no.4
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    • pp.75-82
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    • 2015
  • The elderly rate in South Korea in 2015 is over 13.1%. Especially, the elderly rate in rural area is high. Senior community project in rural that is being promoted by the government. This study's purpose is to provide the reserch group-home for the elderly in Japan rural area. And this paper provided planning of group-home for the elderly in Korea rural area. For this study, respective 5senior housing of Korea and Japan were chosen as respresenting two nations, and every manager was interviewed on housing pattern. This study suggests the planning material as following. First, the effectiveness of the group-home are big. Especially, the elderly was far healthier. Design point is public space(living room, small living room, etc). Maybe, healthy group-home concept is that would be design by Korean traditional housing. Also important public space design is that would be inner courtyard-house, wood floor, Deachong, etc. Two group-homes will construct elderly welfare facilities in between. Otherwise that is need layout of a big public space. In the case of vacant house can used by considering of scale, structure, site condition. Closed school can used through so easy remodeling too. More often than not complex type(hospital, community heath center) was appeared in Japan rural area. In the case of Korea, recommend complex type in community health center and public building. In this case, considering communication, access, contact, group-home keeps on ground floor. In this paper, we hope to take a lesson from group-home planning source for the elderly in Korea rural area.

The Study of Characteristic of Induced Erythema and Safety by UVB Lamp (UVB조사기의 홍반 발생 특성과 안전성에 관한 연구)

  • Park, Rae-Joon;Cho, Yong-Ho;Park, So-Hyun;Lee, Yoon-Mi
    • The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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    • v.18 no.3
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    • pp.79-87
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    • 2006
  • Purpose: The present study purposed to examine induced characteristic or erythema and safety by medium wave ultra violet(UVB) lamp. Methods: We compared sunshine and UVB lamp using spectroradiometer and UV radiometer. For measuring sunshine irradiation, we used spectoradiometer and detected from 8 to 18 o'clock every each hour on the beach, playground and rooftop of a 5 story building. The subjects for erythema examination were 5 healthy subjects who have no pathologic history of photosensitivity reaction, psoriasis and vitiligo. They were exposed to UVB radiation at the abdominal area for 2 hours and after irradiation, we observed the change of skin color every 12 hours over a period of 1 week. Results: Between sunshine and UVB lamp, sunshine had higher data on the chromaticity coordinates, dominant and peak wavelength, bandwidth and purity than the UVB lamp but on the color temperature, brightness the UVB lamp had higher data than the sunshine. In comparison of sunshine and UVB lamp, UVB lamp irradiated constantly such as $3.9-4.4{\mu}W/cm^2$ at a distance of 100cm between bed and lamp which was same as early morning irradiation on the sunshine. The erythema didn't appear to any subject. Conclusion: This results suggest that the UVB lamp has lower irradiance as much as early sunshine. Therefore the UVB lamp had no influence of inducing erythema at a distance of 100cm between bed and lamp.

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Association of CYP2E1, STK15 and XRCC1 Polymorphisms with Risk of Breast Cancer in Malaysian Women

  • Chong, Eric Tzyy Jiann;Goh, Lucky Poh Wah;See, Edwin Un Hean;Chuah, Jitt Aun;Chua, Kek Heng;Lee, Ping-Chin
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.17 no.2
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    • pp.647-653
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    • 2016
  • Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting Malaysian women. Recent statistics revealed that the cumulative probability of breast cancer and related deaths in Malaysia is higher than in most of the countries of Southeast Asia. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CYP2E1 (rs6413432 and rs3813867), STK15 (rs2273535 and rs1047972) and XRCC1 (rs1799782 and rs25487) have been associated with breast cancer risk in a meta-analysis but any link in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, remained to be determined. Hence, we investigated the relationship between these SNPs and breast cancer risk among Malaysian women in the present case-control study. Materials and Methods: Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood of 71 breast cancer patients and 260 healthy controls and subjected to polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Results: Our study showed that the c1/c2 genotype or subjects with at least one c2 allele in CYP2E1 rs3813867 SNP had significantly increased almost 1.8-fold higher breast cancer risk in Malaysian women overall. In addition, the variant Phe allele in STK15 rs2273535 SNP appeared to protect against breast cancer in Malaysian Chinese. No significance association was found between XRCC1 SNPs and breast cancer risk in the population. Conclusions: This study provides additional knowledge on CYP2E1, STK15 and XRCC1 SNP impact of risk of breast cancer, particularly in the Malaysian population. From our findings, we also recommend Malaysian women to perform breast cancer screening before 50 years of age.

Vertical Integration and Production System Analysis of Korean Popular Music Industry in Creative Economy Era 2000-2013 (창조경제시대의 한국대중음악산업 수직계열화와 생산시스템 분석 2000-2013)

  • Kim, Ki-Deog;Choe, Sok-Ho
    • The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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    • v.14 no.6
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    • pp.44-53
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    • 2014
  • This study seeks to analyze vertical integration structure of Korean popular music market focused on corporation concentration and production system by applying production of culture perspective of Peterson, Subject of analysis is Melon weekly music chart(2000-2013), which is No.1 digital music distributor. The result showed vertical integration structure of Korean popular music industry was different from America. Vertical integration of American major was based on open system to be responsible for promotion and distribution by M&A of independent label but entrusted them-with total production to cope-with uncertainty of music market. On the other hand, Korean system was in charge of pure distribution only as digital service provider and it showed modified vertical structure because traditional value chain was destroyed by changing digital music environment. Especially found seriousness of oligopoly by distribution company of conglomerate affiliation. and this is harm against building healthy industry ecosystem in creative economy era and it needs improvement through study of advanced case, open system.

Stages of change to increase fruit and vegetable intake and its relationships with fruit and vegetable intake and related psychosocial factors

  • Yen, Wong Chee;Shariff, Zalilah Mohd;Kandiah, Mirnalini;Mohd Kandiah, Mohd Nasir
    • Nutrition Research and Practice
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    • v.8 no.3
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    • pp.297-303
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    • 2014
  • BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Understanding individual's intention, action and maintenance to increase fruit and vegetable intake is an initial step in designing nutrition or health promotion programs. This study aimed to determine stages of change to increase fruit and vegetable intake and its relationships with fruit and vegetable intake, self-efficacy, perceived benefits and perceived barriers. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 348 public university staff in Universiti Putra Malaysia. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire and two days 24-hour diet recall were used. RESULTS: Half of the respondents (50%) were in preparation stage, followed by 43% in action/maintenance, 7% in pre-contemplation/contemplation stages. Respondents in action/maintenance stages had significantly higher self-efficacy (F = 9.17, P < 0.001) and perceived benefits (F =5.07, P < 0.01) while respondents in pre-contemplation/contemplation and preparation stages had significantly higher perceived barriers (F = 4.83, P < 0.05). Perceived benefits tend to outweigh perceived barriers pre-ceding to taking action. Self-efficacy is important in motivating individuals to increase fruit and vegetable intake as self-efficacy and perceived barriers crossed over between preparation and action/maintenance. Respondents in action/maintenance stages had the highest adjusted mean serving of fruit and vegetable intake (F = 4.52, P < 0.05) but the intake did not meet recommendation. CONCLUSION: Intervention strategies should emphasize on increasing perceived benefits and building self-efficacy by providing knowledge and skills to consume a diet high in fruits and vegetables in order to promote healthy changes in having high fruit and vegetable intake.

Regional Variations in Pacific Oyster, Crassostrea gigas Growth and the Number of Larvae Occurrence and Spat Settlement along the West Coast, Korea (서해 지역별 굴 Crassostrea gigas 성장 특성, 유생 출현량 및 채묘율)

  • Lim, Hyun Jeong;Back, Sang Ho;Lim, Mae Soon;Choi, Eun Hee;Kim, Su Kyoung
    • The Korean Journal of Malacology
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    • v.28 no.3
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    • pp.259-267
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    • 2012
  • Due to the oil spill incident in December 2007, every facility of oyster culture was removed in western coast especially in Taean and Seosan. To restore oyster resources in Taean and Seosan, we brought oyster seeds from southern area and monitored their growth. In addition we monitored the culture environment throughout the year, and observed the number of oyster larvae and attached spats on collectors during summer. The factors of water environment were appropriate for oyster culture in both study area. The growth of shell height was larger in Uihang-ri, Taean than Jungwang-ri, Seosan. Spawning was more intensive in a short time in Jungwang-ri, Seosan than Uihang-ri, Taean. The number of oyster larvae and spats of collectors were much more in Jungwang-ri, Seosan than Uihang-ri, Taean. This study showed that transplantation of healthy oyster seeds from southern area can be a way of restoration of oyster resources in western coast. In addition, systematic approaches are necessary by building a better understanding of regional characteristics to restore and enlarge the oyster culture farms in western coast. In summary Uihang-ri, Taean will be appropriate for cultivation farms and Jungwang-ri, Seosan for seedling grounds to increase oyster culture productivity.

The Protective Effects of Development Assets on Health Risk Behaviors among Korean Adolescents (청소년 성장발달자산의 건강위험행태 방어효과)

  • Lee, Myoung-Soon
    • Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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    • v.22 no.4
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    • pp.137-154
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    • 2005
  • Objectives: This study aims to examine the positive effects of developmental assets on the prevention of health risk behaviors among Korean adolescents. The framework of developmental assets was introduced as building blocks for healthy child and adolescent development by Benson and his colleagues. These assets represent positive external environmental factors and internal personal qualities which strongly influence the quality of life of adolescents. Methods: In 2001, we administered self-reported questionnaires to 3,739 girls and boys in grade 9 at eight schools in two cities, Chinju and Suwon in South Korea. The data was compiled into a 'Korean Youth Health Related Behaviors and Developmental Assets Survey' and then analyzed Youth health risk behaviors, which we measured in terms of their frequency, included tobacco, alcohol, and substance use, sexual intercourse, anti-social behaviors, violence, feelings of social isolation at school, depression or attempted suicide, absenteeism from school, gambling. Results: Overall, with respect to developmental assets, the Korean adolescents surveyed only 12.6 of the 40 assets, and 88 percent of adolescents had 20 or fewer of the assets. Based on their number of developmental assets(DA), adolescents were categorized into four groups: Group I(DA 0-10): Group II(DA 11-20): Group III(DA 21-30): Group IV(DA 31-40). We examined the differences in the frequency of each health risk behavior across the four groups, Group I-IV, and found that the frequency of most health risk behaviors decreased as the number of developmental assets increased. Conclusion: We therefore concluded that in order to make effective approaches for the prevention of health risk behaviors among adolescents, we should consider and develop more comprehensive and adolescents-based policy and programs to promote various aspects of adolescents' health and quality of life.

Study on Design Considerations to Prevent Bird Collisions with Glass (조류 유리충돌 방지를 위한 디자인 개선방안에 관한 고찰)

  • Lee, Hyung-Sook
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Rural Architecture
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    • v.15 no.1
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    • pp.13-20
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    • 2013
  • Bird collisions with glass are a substantial source of human-caused avian mortality. It has been estimated that between 100 million and 1 billion birds die in collisions with windows every year, and bird-window collisions can have a particularly serious impact on populations because glass is dangerous for strong, healthy, breeding adults. The purpose of this study are to address the bird-window collision issue and to provide suggestions for bird-safe development by reviewing precedent studies on bird collision and analyzing bird-friendly design guidelines. Typically reflections of the sky, clouds or trees on glass, green plants in lobbies, and lights attract and confuse both migrating and resident birds. Therefore birds fatally fly into the glass because they do not recognize that reflections are false and that glass is a barrier. Many cities such as Toronto, Chicago and New York have made efforts on reducing the bird collision by encouraging the creation of environmentally conscious and bird-safe buildings. The USGBC also introduced a bird-safety credit as part of its environmental certification process, called LEED. The results of the study presented that architects and builders can help reduce or prevent bird from collisions in both new construction and existing structures with creative use of design elements. The measures to reduce bird collisions include using glass with an embedded pattern, opaque or translucent films, decals, dot patterns, awnings, louvers, and grilles. Turning off lights after midnight during the spring and fall migrations can be part of the solution as well. In order to reduce bird mortality, the most important thing is to generate awareness of the issue among designers, builders, as well as the public. Also local governments need to develop bird-friendly design guidelines and planning mechanisms to encourage bird-safe development and building operation.