• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.324-333
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• 2006

This study was designed to investigate the effect of bone demineralization and tibia lead on blood lead in retired lead workers. Two hundred thirty five(126 females and 109 males) retired lead workers who worked in 4 different lead factories and 101 non-occupationally lead exposed subjects(51 females and 51 males) were recruited from March 2004 to October 2004. Bone mineral density(BMD) was measured at left calcaneous bone area by broadband ultrasound attenuation(BUA) method with QUS-2(Metra Biosystems Inc, USA). The BUA value transformed into T-score by WHO standard conversion criteria. Tibia bone lead was measured for skeletal bone lead with K-xray fluorescence(K-XRF) and blood lead was analyzed with flameless atomic spectrophotometer. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum calcium and iron were also analyzed. In addition, information for smoking and drinking status and basic personal data such as age, gender and lead exposure were also collected using questionnaire inquiry. Blood lead was correlated with tibia lead (r=0.664) and these two variables were negatively correlated with BMD in bivariate analysis. BMD showed significant main effect on the change of blood lead independent to tibia lead without any effect modification of age or gender; the one T-score unit decrease of mineral bone density made $0.43{\mu}g/dl$ increase of blood lead. On the other hand, tibia lead showed effect modification with gender on blood lead; the slope of tibia lead on blood lead in male was steeper than in female and crossed at around zero of tibia lead. In the multiple regression analysis of blood lead and tibia lead on BMD after adjustment of related covariates, only blood lead showed statistically significant effect on BMD. This study confirmed that BMD and blood lead were significantly associated. To verify the causal association of BMD on blood lead and vice versa, further longitudinal studies are needed.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.65-84
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• 2007

In this study, the researcher tried to present the groundwork to prepare the oriental medical yangseng plan for the future obesity with the comparison between yangseng level and the obesity of workers. The researcher made up the questionnaire which asks the general character, health-related character and yangseng level, projected among 560 people. All collected material was analyzed by SPSS and tested by T-test and ANOVA. 1. The general yangseng level average is 3.27, morality yangseng 3.90, sleep yangseng 3.39, mind yangseng 3.31, sex life yangseng 3.30, exercise yangseng 3.15, activities and rest yangseng 3.08, diet yangseng 2.94, seasonal yangseng 2.84. The highest is morality yangseng and seasonal yangseng is the lowest. 2. In the aspect of yangseng level: Having a spouse, Non-smoking, Regular exercising, Sufficient sleeping have higher yangseng levels. 3. Obesity related index is changing into the higher level when he/she is older, more paid, more job experience, more education background but less metabolic calory. And drinking and regular exercising have relativity with body composition analysis. 4. After comparing yangseng level with body composition analysis, we can easily find that the more visceral fat, the higher WHR has a high yangseng level. The more mineral also has a high mind yangseng and a low diet yangseng. The visceral fat level has a high yangseng level when higher morality yangseng and mind yangseng are getting higher and higher. And sex life yangseng shows that the highest yangseng level is from 9-10 visceral fat and the lowest yangseng level is from below 4 visceral fat. The higher WHR, the higher morality, mind and sleep yangseng. The heavier, the lower diet yangseng. The mind yangseng was very high when body fat rate was higher. The more body fat, the higher morality yangseng. The higher yangseng, when we have more muscle. Yangseng level and obesity of laborer has a close relationship with individual character and daily habits. Also, relevance can be easily found between yangseng level and obesity. Now the researcher came into the conclusion that we need to control over laborers' health and prevention of their obesity.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.31 no.4 s.63
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• pp.616-627
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• 1998

In order to evaluate the cytogenetic hazard among hospital workers potentially exposed to low dose of radiation, the analysis of chromosome aberrations(CA) and sister chromatid exchanges(SCE) in lymphocytes were performed in 79 hospital workers and 79 non-exposed workers. The mean frequency of chromosomal exchange and deletion(respectively, $0.20\times10^{-2}/cell\;and\;0.39\times10^{-2}/cell$) in the exposed group were significantly higher than those$(0.07\times10^{-2}/cell\;and\;0.23\times10^{-2}/cell)$ in control group. The frequency of sister chromatid exchanges was 5.04/cell in the control vs. 6.57/cell in the exposed group. There were also significant differences in the mean frequencies of CA and SCE adjusted for age, sex, smoking, drinking between two groups. There were no evidence of significant increase of CA and SCE according to the department or duration of employment. But the frequency of cells having chromosome aberration was significantly higher in the exposed group than in the control group related to duration of employment. There was no dose-effect relationship between the cumulative doses and the frequency of CA and SCE. But in the case of last 1 yr cumulative dose, there were evidence of significant dose-dependant increase of chromosome type CA and percentage of cells with aberration. The result suggest that there is cytogenetic hazard in risk group like hospital workers handling low dose radiation. And the analysis CA and SCE are useful biological indicators for the exposure of low dose level of radiation.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2008

Objective : This research was done to discover whether or not workers' health related quality of life(HRQOL) depends on their own Yangseng(養生) level, which is also known as one's care of one's health, and also if their HRQOL is affected by the level, to what extent. The subjects of the study were blue-collar workers of a workplace. Method : Blue-collar workers of a workplace were asked to fill out their pre-organized questionaires given to them by their company as a process of health examination. The questionaires carried questions regarding their levels of Yangseng and their HRQOL. For the purpose of the research, a total of 961 data were selected from the questionaires filled out by the blue-collar workers and then analyzed. Result : Each workers's level of Yangseng becomes high or low by one or all of general characteristics. With regard to Yangseng level according to health-related lifestyle were found to have a relatively higher level of Yangseng. With reference to HRQOL according to general characteristics, those in the 20s were found to have a physical summary scale(PCS), but no significant difference was found in the other scales. As regards the quality of life(QOL) according to health-related lifestyle, those who exercise regularly were found to have a relatively higher PCS, while no smokers, those who do not drink alcoholic, and those who sleep at least seven hours a day were found to have a relatively higher mental summary scale(MCS). As to the relation between the level of Yangseng and HRQOL, the level of Yangseng was found to have an interrelation with PCS and MCS in terms of its degree. Statistics also show that each area of Yangseng level has a significant impact on the two qualities-PCS and MCS. Conclusion : One who has a higher level of Yangseng was found to be the one who enjoys a higher HRQOL. Specially, the three kinds of habits that are good for good health -non-smoking, no drinking and seeping seven hours a day- were found to be able to improve the QOL. In this respect, those who want to stay healthy are recommended to cultivate a healthier habit of living.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.30
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• pp.4.1-4.11
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• 2015

Objectives: This survey was designed to conduct the first nationwide dietary exposure assessment on hazardous substances including the intakes of functional food and herbal medicine. In this paper, we introduced the survey design and the results of the dietary exposure status and internal exposure levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg). Methods: We selected 4867 subjects of all ages throughout Korea. We conducted a food survey, dietary survey, biomonitoring, and health survey. Results: Pb and Cd were the highest (median value) in the seaweed ($94.2{\mu}g/kg$ for Pb; $594{\mu}g/kg$ for Cd), and Hg was the highest in the fish ($46.4{\mu}g/kg$). The dietary exposure level (median value) of Pb was $0.14{\mu}g/kg$ body weight (bw)/d, $0.18{\mu}g/kg$ bw/d for Cd, and $0.07{\mu}g/kg$ bw/d for Hg. Those with a blood Pb level of less than $5.00{\mu}g/dL$ (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reference value for those 1 to 5 years of age) were 99.0% of all the subjects. Those with a blood Cd level with less than $0.30{\mu}g/L$ (German Federal Environmental Agency, reference value for non-smoking children) were 24.5%. For those with a blood Hg level with less than $5.00{\mu}g/L$ (human biomonitoring I, references value for children and adults, German Federal Environmental Agency) was 81.0 % of all the subjects. Conclusions: The main dietary exposure of heavy metals occurs through food consumed in a large quantity and high frequency. The blood Hg level and dietary exposure level of Hg were both higher than those in the European Union.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.451-458
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• 2018

This study was conducted to determine the association between quality of sleep (QOL) and the general characteristics, the health-behavioral factors, and the occupational characteristics of firefighting officers. The survey was conducted in October 2016 with a self-administered questionnaire using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) developed by Pittsburgh University, targeting 600 male firefighting officers working at five fire stations in D city. As a result, the QOL of the study subjects measured by the PSQI revealed 13.2% to be good, and 86.8% to be poor. In relation to general characteristics and health habits, the rate of the group who had poor quality sleep was significantly higher in those with a lower subjective health status, in the non-smoking group, and in the low sleep-quality group, compared to the good sleep-quality group. For occupational characteristics, the rate of those with poor quality sleep was significantly higher in groups such as the fire suppression group, the shift work group, the hard physical labor group, the group with a lower sense of satisfaction in their work, and in the group classed as unfit for the job but who were not considering quitting their jobs, compared to their respective counterparts. Multiple regression analysis revealed factors of influence with explanatory powers of 24.4% for subjective health status, alcohol use, subjective quality of sleep, career, job position, and physical labor. The results of this study suggest that the quality of sleep for firefighting officers is significantly related to general characteristics, health-behavioral characteristics, and occupational characteristics.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.131-135
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• 2008

Purpose: To measure and quantify the factors of intraocular pressure (IOP) variation for normal Korean youth. Methods: The IOP of normal youth 805 persons (male: 367, female: 438) were measured as a function of time and quantity for fixation, reclining posture, hard blinking, drinking water, drinking hard liquor, tobacco and coffee by using non-contact tonometer (AT555, Reichert Co.). In the case of fixation, reclining posture and hard blinking, the intraocular pressure of right and left eye were measured for 6 males and 6 females every 10 minutes during 30 minute. In the case of water, liquor, tobacco and coffee, the measurement for 4 or 5 groups (6 persons/ group) having similar IOP were done for the IOP variation of right eye. Results: The mean IOP was 15.2 mmHg for males and 15.8 mmHg for females (slightly higher than male's), respectively and the 99% of those were in the range of the normal IOP. The measured IOP was increased by fixation, reclining posture and hard blinking with males and females. The gradient of increasing slope was 0.15/0.13/0.07/0.08, 0.09/0.08/0.08/0.08 and 0.19/0.08/0.26/0.31, respectively. The IOP variation was elevated by drinking water (especially in the case of 1000 ml) and lowered in proportion to the amount of drinking by hard liquor. Cigarette smoking was associated with rise in intra ocular pressure, but was not shown a definite relation. And coffee had virtually no effect. Conclusions: Fixation, reclining posture, hard blinking and Tobacco caused a transient increase in IOP, but alcohol elicited a slight reduction in IOP overall.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.2 s.53
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• pp.153-163
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• 2006

Essential metals have been known to interact with non-essential toxic metals in the aspects of absorption, transport and deposition in the body. Iron deficiency has been reported to increase lead and/or cadmium absorption. The relation between iron and lead has been understood well in children but not in adults. Two hundred seventy adults (118 males and 152 females) were recruited from 3 different residental areas (rural, coastal and urban) to investigate the effects of environmental lead exposure on body iron status. The subjects were interviewed for life-style and diet of the last 24 hours, and measured for blood lead and body iron. The lead concentration in the whole blood was determined by a flameless method using an atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The body iron was evaluated with values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBCs, serum total iron, unsaturated iron binding capacity, total iron binding capacity and ferritin. The mean concentration of blood lead in adult was $3.31{\mu}g/dL$. The concentration was higher in male ($3.97{\mu}g/dL$) than in female ($2.86{\mu}g/dL$). The blood lead was influenced by residental area, life-style, smoking and drinking, occupation and diet habit of subjects, but not by age. A positive correlation was observed between the blood lead level and the serum iron or ferritin. These results suggest that environmental lead exposure in Korean adult may not be higher than other developed and developing countries. It is further indicated that blood lead in adult could be influenced by life-style, and environmental and genetic factors but no inverse relation with body iron as shown in children.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.245-252
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• 2011

The aim of this study is to clinically evaluate the effect of a mouthwash containing cetylpyridinium and zinc chloride on reduction of morning oral malodor in healthy subjects measured by organoleptic measurement and a portable sulfide monitor. A total of 8 healthy non-smoking male volunteers were enrolled in this study of crossover design consisting of two experimental phases. The subjects were instructed to rinse the mouth with 10 mL of the experimental mouthwash containing cetylpyridinium and zinc chloride for 30 seconds at the first phase. At the second phase after a one-week washout period, each subject rinsed with distilled water as a control. All experiments were conducted at around 8:30 a.m. and oral malodor was measured using organoleptic measurement and a portable sulfide monitor just before rinsing with the experimental mouthwash or control (baseline), 1 hr, 2 hrs, and 3 hrs after rinsing. The mouthwash containing cetylpyridinium and zinc chloride reduced morning oral malodor up to 3 hrs after rinsing. Organoleptic score and concentrations of volatile sulfur compounds after use of the experimental mouthwash significantly decreased with time, and the decreases were significantly different between the mouthwash and control. In conclusion, the mouthwash containing cetylpyridinium and zinc chloride is significantly effective on reduction of morning oral malodor in healthy subjects by 3 hrs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1895-1903
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• 2013

Background: It is well established that a healthy lifestyle is of benefit in the prevention of diseases such as cancer and promotion of well-being. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine lifestyle practice and associated factors among university students in Malaysia. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted over six months from November 2011 until May 2012 among the students from the Management and Science University. This study was approved by its ethical committee, the students being explained the objective and invited to participate. A consent form was signed by all study participants. Questionnaire was distributed randomly to the students of the five faculties through their lecturers in different faculty. For univariate analysis t-test and ANOVA test were performed. Multiple linear regression used for multivariate analysis using SPSS 13.0. Results: A total number of 1100 students participated with a mean age of $22.1{\pm}2.21$ (SD) years. The majority were 22 years or younger (56.3%), female (54%), Malay (61.5%), single (92.3%), with family monthly income ${\geq}5000$ Ringgit Malaysia (41.2%). Regarding lifestyle, about were 31.6% smokers, 75.6% never drank alcohol and 53.7% never exercised. Multivariate analysis showed that age, sex, race, parent marital status, participant marital status, type of faculty, living status, smoking status, exercise, residency, brushing teeth, fiber intake and avoid fatty food significantly influenced the practice of drinking alcohol among university students (p=0.006, p=0.042, p<0.001, p=0.003, p=0.002, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.003, p<0.001; respectively). It similarly showed that sex, race, parent marital status, participant marital status, monthly family income, exercise, residency, brushing teeth and fiber intake significantly influenced the practice of sun protection (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.017, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001; respectively) and that age, sex, parent marital status, participant marital status, type of faculty, living status, exercise, taking non-prescribed medication, brushing the teeth, coffee consumption and fiber intake were significantly influenced the practice of fruits consumption (p=0.008, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.002, p<0.001, P<0.001; respectively). Conclusions: This study showed a poor practice of healthy lifestyle among university students. Therefore universities should emphasize a healthy lifestyle in all faculties as a required subject. Socio-demographic characteristics significantly influenced practice and thus should be considered when planning preventive measures among university students. Frequent campaigns and educational seminars are to be encouraged.