• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.275-281
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of low-dose lidocaine on fentanyl-induced cough and hemodynamic changes under general anesthesia. This research was a randomized trial design and performed using a double-blind method. Methods: Data collection was performed from October 22, 2008, to May 4, 2009. One hundred and thirty two patients were randomly assigned to control group (Con G) and experimental group (Exp G) using a table of random numbers. Exp G (n=66) were administered 0.5 mg/kg lidocaine and Con G (n=66)) were administered saline. The occurrence of cough and vital sign were recorded within one minute after fentanyl bolus by an anesthesiologist. Collected data were analyzed using Repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS for Windows (Version 17.0). Results: The incidence of cough in Exp G was 13.6%, while Con G was 53%. The incidence cough in Exp G was significantly lower compared to Con G (p<.001). Lidocaine seemed not to suppress mean arterial pressure (p=.145), heart rate (p=.508), and oxygen saturation (p=.161). Conclusion: Intravenous administration of 0.5 mg/kg lidocaine seems to suppress fentanyl-induced cough without affecting mean blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation. Therefore, we recommend intravenous 0.5 mg/kg lidocaine administration to suppress fentanyl-induced cough under general anesthesia.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.245-251
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• 2004

This study was experiment on the safety of rat(Sprague-Dawley) exposed to natural herb oil(BM-solution). BM-solution was administered by inhalation to rats with the dose level of low(30 mg/8 min), middle(30 mg/4 min) and high(50 mg/4 min) in an airtight room for 4 weeks, respectively. Each groups, consisting of 5 rats, was examined for body weight changes, hematological analysis, serum biochemical analysis, organ weight, and histopathological findings, respectively. There were, dose-dependently, no changes of body weight and organ weights, no hematological anomalousness, and no other serum biochemical abnormality from the experiments. In addition, BM-solution was shown to have no specific toxicity by gross and histopathological findings. Therefore, it was concluded that BM-solution had no side effects on rats for 4 weeks.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.3046-3053
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• 2023

Radon is a naturally occurring carcinogenic agent, poses a serious health hazard when inhaled or ingested in significant amounts. The water of the Padma river will be used as a tertiary coolant for the soon-to-be-commissioned 'Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant'. Hence, it is important to assess the radiological status of the river prior to the commission of this power plant. Therefore, for the first time, 25 samples of water were collected from various locations of the Padma River and analyzed for radon concentration using the RAD H₂O (DURRIDGE) radon monitoring device. The radon concentrations were found in the range from 0.077 ± 0.036 to 0.494 ± 0.211 Bq/L with a mean of 0.250 ± 0.093 Bq/L. All the concentrations were found to be below the recommended limits of WHO (100 Bq/L) and USEPA (11.1 Bq/L). The mean annual effective dose due to the radon exposure via inhalation and ingestion pathways were 0.638 µSv/y and 0.629 µSv/y, respectively, which were all well below the annual effective dose recommended by WHO (0.1 mSv/y). Since Bangladesh lacks a national safety limit of radon in water, this pioneering study provides baseline data on radon levels for the environment around Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.551-560
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• 2003

Particle deposition in human lungs was investigated theoretically by using asymmetric five-lobe lung model. The volumes of each of the five lobes were different, thereby forming an asymmetric lung structure. The tidal volume and flow rate of each lobe were scaled according to lobar volume. The total and regional deposition with various breathing patterns were calculated by means of tracking volume segments and accounting for particle loss during inhalation and exhalation. The deposition fractions were obtained for each airway generation and lung lobe, and dominant deposition mechanisms were investigated for different size particles. Results show that the tidal volume and flow rate have a characteristic influence on particle deposition. The total deposition fraction increases with an increase in tidal volume for all particle sizes. However, flow rate has dichotomous effects: a higher flow rate results in a sharp increase in deposition for large size particles, but decreases deposition for small size particles. Deposition distribution within the lung shifts proximally with higher flow rate whereas deposition peak shifts to the deeper lung region with larger tidal volume. Deposition fraction in each lobe was proportional to its volume. Among the three main deposition mechanisms, diffusion was dominant for particles < 0.5 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ whereas sedimentation and impaction were most influential for larger size particles. Impaction was particularly dominant for particles> 8 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. The results may prove to be useful for estimating deposition dose of inhaled pollutant particles at various breathing conditions.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.257-267
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• 1997

This study focuses on the health risk assessment of airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a petrochemical complex, with several emphases on a risk assessment method. The first emphasis is on the importance of hazard identification to determine the likely carcinogenic potential of a VOC. Without considering this type of information, a direct comparison of the carcinogenic risks of two pollutants is meaningless. Therefore, wer suggest that this type of information be prepared and be listed with the estimate of cancer risk in parallel. The second emphasis is on the selection of a better dose-response model to estimate unit risk or cancer potency factor of a carcinogenic VOC. Finally, probilistic risk assessment method is discussed and recommended to use within a comparison of conventional point-estimate method. A health risk assessment has also been carried out. For non-carcinogenic risk, even the highest hazard index for carbon tetrachloride is estimated to be less than 1 with the other VOCs less than 0.03. However, the lifetime cancer risk from the inhalation of airborne VOCs is estimated to be about $2.6 \times 10^{-4}$ which is higher than the risk standard of $10^{-6}$ or even $10^{-5}$. Therefore, the investigation into domestic petrochemical complexes should be strengthened to obtain more fine long-term airborne VOC data.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.428-436
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• 2019

Background: Metalworking fluids (MWFs) are mixtures with inhalation exposures as mists, dusts, and vapors, and dermal exposure in the dispersed and bulk liquid phase. A quantitative risk assessment was performed for exposure to MWF and respiratory disease. Methods: Risks associated with MWF were derived from published studies and NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluations, and lifetime risks were calculated. The outcomes analyzed included adult onset asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, pulmonary function impairment, and reported symptoms. Incidence rates were compiled or estimated, and annual proportional loss of respiratory capacity was derived from cross-sectional assessments. Results: A strong healthy worker survivor effect was present. New-onset asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, at 0.1 mg/㎥ MWF under continuous outbreak conditions, had a lifetime risk of 45%; if the associated microbiological conditions occur with only 5% prevalence, then the lifetime risk would be about 3%. At 0.1 mg/㎥, the estimate of excess lifetime risk of attributable pulmonary impairment was 0.25%, which may have been underestimated by a factor of 5 or more by a strong healthy worker survivor effect. The symptom prevalence associated with respiratory impairment at 0.1 mg/㎥ MWF was estimated to be 5% (published studies) and 21% (Health Hazard Evaluations). Conclusion: Significant risks of impairment and chronic disease occurred at 0.1 mg/㎥ for MWFs in use mostly before 2000. Evolving MWFs contain new ingredients with uncharacterized long-term hazards.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.99-106
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• 2011

Tritium is the one of the most important radionuclide for workers in nuclear power plants (NPPs) and the public, from the dosimetric point of view. Humans are likely to have internal radiation exposure by tritium inhalation. Radiation exposure by tritium accounts for approximately 7% and 60~90% of the total radiation exposure of NPP workers and the public during normal operation, respectively. Thus, many researches have been conducted to estimate the internal dose by tritium precisely in the world. In terms of tritium dosimetry, this paper provides the current status of research for tritium metabolism and dosimetry.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.111-120
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correct use of inhalers and to examine the patients characteristics affecting correct use of inhalers in patients with obstructive pulmonary disease. Method: Subjects were 280 patients with obstructive pulmonary disease who visited the internal pulmonary outpatient departments in 2 university hospitals in Korea. Inhaler use of each patient was assessed using a checklist recommended by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert Panel. Result: Most subjects used a DPI or MDI. The overall mean score of correct use was 72.09. Most subjects responded they knew well how to use their inhalers. Most frequent error was 'not fully exhaling before inhalation'. A younger age, higher educational level, living with family, and awareness of inhaler use were significantly associated with correct use of inhalers. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that most of patients were unable to use inhalers correctly even though they had prior educational experiences. Regular assessing of inhaler use and adequate inhaler education considering patients characteristics by nurses are needed.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.20-23
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• 2021

Methemoglobin is generated by the oxidation of ferrous iron to ferric iron within a hemoglobin molecule. Methemoglobin is unable to bind and transport oxygen, resulting in methemoglobinemia, which can lead to fatal tissue hypoxia. The most common cause of methemoglobinemia is poisoning by oxidizing agents such as dapsone, benzocaine, and primaquine. However, methemoglobinemia can also be caused by normal dietary sources. We present two cases of methemoglobinemia that developed after a normal diet in two male patients. In this case report, the patients suddenly developed dyspnea and cyanosis after eating the same meal. They had no history of suspected poisoning, such as the use of drugs, exposure to chemicals, or gas inhalation. Their symptoms did not improve even after a high dose of oxygen was administered; further, an abnormal 'oxygen saturation gap' was observed. Because of CO-oximetry, the methemoglobin levels of the patients were 50.0% and 46.6%, respectively. We administered methylene blue (1 mg/kg), and the patients recovered completely without any complications. Emergency physicians should, therefore, be aware that methemoglobinemia can also be caused by normal dietary sources. In addition, if the source and route of contamination are unclear, an epidemiological investigation should be conducted.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.18-25
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• 2013

It may occur health hazards or death by suffocation or acute poisoning in case of oxygen deficiency in ambient or exposure to harmful gas. As a part of accident prevention, we studied the change of activity and lethal dose by changing the concentration of several hazardous gas with inhalation exposure chamber and laboratory animals. We investigated the lethality and motility change during either the 4 hrs whole body exposure to oxygen, nitrogen, toluene, $H_2S$, CO and 48 recovery. As results, it is estimated that 5% oxygen concentration as lethal concentration and 5.5% as $LC_{50}$ (rat, 4 hrs) with statistics for dose-response. The results of lethality in oxygen deficient condition (approximately 6%), the lethalities were 40%, 20% with 20 ppm $H_2S$, 600 ppm CO respectively, and was not increased the lethality with 8% CO. Thus, it was confirmed that the $H_2S$, CO had influence to lethal dose, while toluene had low fluence.