• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.347-361
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• 2012

Limited studies are available concerning the effect of heavy metal exposure on cardiovascular diseases. As environmental pollution increases, food contamination, including heavy metal contamination of fish, also increases. However, researches based on the intake of heavy metals, cardiovascular disease, and fish intakes are inconclusive. We assessed an association of heavy metal exposure with cardiovascular disease and fish intake in a nationally representative group of general Korean adults. We used data from the combined 2008-2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), and analyzed the data of 5,139 Koreans who participated in KNHANES. All participants were older than 20 years, and were diagnosed with stroke, ischemic heart disease, or hypertension. The mean blood cadmium, lead concentration, and mercury concentration of subjects were $1.07{\pm}0.01{\mu}g/L$, $2.49{\pm}0.02{\mu}g/dL$, and $5.19{\pm}0.08{\mu}g/L$, respectively. We used the survey logistic regression model to account for the complex sample design of the cardiovascular disease risk in order to estimate the odds ratios (OR). After adjusting for age, education, income, alcohol, smoking, and BMI, the increase of serum cadmium in blood was associated with the increase in the prevalence of hypertension. Further, the increase in blood cadmium concentration was associated with the increase of both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Although higher fish intakes were significantly associated with higher blood mercury concentration (p for trend < 0.0001), fish intakes did not affect either blood cadmium or lead concentration. Comparing the highest fish intake group with the lowest intake group, the OR of hypertension was 0.31 (95% CI: 0.19-0.59) in the crude model for total fish. However, these associations were no longer significant after the adjustment for potential confounding factors. In conclusion, cadmium in blood was associated with an increased risk of hypertension in the general Korean adult population. However, we found no evidence of a clear relationship between cardiovascular disease and frequency of fish consumption.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.131-142
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• 1999

통계청에서 최근에 발표한 한국인 인구통계 자료와 미국 학술원 산하 '방사선의 생물학적 영향 위원회'의 최근 보고서(BEIR-V)의 수정 상대위험 투사모델을 적용하여 한국인의 방사선 피폭에 의한 초과 암발생 위험도를 평가하였다. 인구통계 자료로부터 유도한 사소위험도(trivial risk) 및 계산된 방사선유발 초과 암 위험도를 비교한 후 사소위험도의 수준으로 개인의 피폭선량을 유지하기 위한 국내 원전의 안전운영 목표치를 유도하였다. 방사선 피폭 유발 초과 암 위험도는 0.1 Gy의 단일피폭의 경우에는 $5.5{\times}10^{-3}$, 1.0 mGy/y로 생애연속 피폭 시엔 $3.7{\times}10^{-3}$인 것으로 평가되었다. 한국인의 모든 원인에 의한 기저사망 위험도 및 사소위험도는 각각 $5.2{\times}10^{-3}$ 및 $5.2{\times}10^{-6}$인 것으로 예상되었다. 한국인의 사소위험도 및 방사선 위험도 평가 결과로부터 유도한 국내 원전운영의 안전목표치는 대략 0.05 mSv/y로, 이 값은 미국 원자력규제위원회(USNRC)가 연방규제법 10CFR50 부록 I에서 제시하고 있는 ALARA 지침값과 거의 동일한 값으로 밝혀졌다.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.322-334
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• 2013

Objectives: This study describes the results of a mass screening and secondary questionnaire conducted among sampled residents around Camp Carroll. Methods: The subjects were sampled based on Waegwan groundwater ingestion history via a primary health questionnaire survey. However, the study population included voluntary participants and there were no grounds for disqualification. Among the 1,033 residents, excluding people living outside Waegwan, 844 subjects age 30 and over were analyzed. History of physician-diagnosed disease (including detailed history of cancer), eating habits, drinking and smoking histories were queried through questionnaires. Health screening consisted of a blood pressure check and blood test (complete blood cell, liver enzyme, lipid, blood sugar test, etc.). Results: The proportion of abnormal gamma-glutamyltransferase levels was higher in the groundwater ingesting female group than the non-ingesting female group. The odds ratios of the ingested '1 to 9 years' and '10 years and over' groups were 3.09 and 0.87, respectively. Proportions of hypertension in males, abnormal serum triglyceride levels in all and in females, and abnormal serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in males were higher in the '10 to 29-year' resident group than in the '1 to 9 year' group. However, there were no significant trends according to length of residence. Conclusions: Physician-diagnosed prevalence and laboratory test results are not different by histories of Waegwan groundwater ingestion and by length of residence. Even if there are partially significant differences, they do not tend to follow increases of exposure amount and trends.

• 자원ㆍ환경경제연구
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.49-82
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• 2004

울산 지역에서 대기중 벤젠으로 인한 발암 인체영향에 대한 경제성 평가를 위해서, 건강 위해성 평가를 수행하여 대상 지역의 이론적 암 사망자수를 추정하고, 대상 지역 주민을 대상으로 가상 가치평가법을 통한 위해도 감소의 지불의사금액을 추정하여 1인의 통계적 생명가치액을 유도하여 이론적 암 사망자수에 대한 사망 손실비용을 유도하였다. 대상 지역의 대기중 벤젠의 평균 농도는 $7.88{\mu}g/m^3$(min: 1.16~max: $23.32 {\mu}g/m^3$)로 조사되었다. US EPA IRIS의 벤젠 단위 위해도 $2.2{\times}10^{-6}{\sim}7.8{\times}10^{-6}$을 사용하고, 30세 이상의 노출인구수 51만 6,641명에 대한 연간 인구 집단 위해도를 추정한 결과 10년간 발생 가능한 발암 사망자수는 2.90명(5 percentile: 0.32명~95 percentile: 9.11명)으로 조사되었다. 1인의 통계적 생명가치액을 추정하기 위하여, 공단 지역의 지불의사금액 모형을 추정한 결과, 응답자의 암 치료경험 유 무와 기대 여명, 가족수, 교육수준이 유의한 영향 요인으로 조사되었고, 연간 1만 명당 5명의 위해도 감소에 대한 지불의사금액은 월 1만 4,852원(95% C.I: 1만 3,135원~1만 6,794)으로 산출되었으며, 위해도 감소치를 고려한 1인의 통계적 생명가치액은 약 3억 6,000만 원(95% C.I: 3억 2,000만 원~4억 원)으로 추정되었다. 대기중 벤젠의 발암 영향으로 인한 건강 손실비용은 발암 위해성 평가로 추정된 이론적 사망자수에 1인의 통계적 생명가치액을 곱하여 추정하였다. 추정 결과, 현 수준의 벤젠의 발암 영향이 10년간 지속될 경우 약 10억 원(5 percentile: 1억 원~95 percentile: 33억 원)의 건강 손실이 있는 것으로 추정되었다. 본 연구 결과, 대기중 벤젠의 노출로 인한 위해도를 줄이기 위해서는 벤젠 단독물질에 대해서 이론적으로 10년간 약 10억 원에 대응하는 감소 대책에 투자하여야 한다. 그러나 벤젠 한 물질만을 감소시키기 위한 대안은 현실적이지 못하므로, 이 연구를 모델로 하여 차후 벤젠을 포함한 휘발성 유기오염물질에 대한 통합 적용이 필요하고 손실비용을 재추정해야 할 것이다.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.134-138
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• 2015

Background: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a major preventable occupational health problem with 250 million people worldwide known to have disabling impairment of moderate to greater severity. The aims of the study are to estimate the prevalence of NIHL in the police force; and study its association with age, sex, duration of service (years), smoking and alcohol habits, use of hearing protective devices, as well as preexisting chronic diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 543 police personnel who had undergone periodic medical examination over a 12-month period. The diagnostic criteria for NIHL were (1) history of occupational noise exposure, (2) bilateral hearing loss, (3) hearing loss of ${\geq}25dBA$ at 4,000 Hz in two consecutive audiograms, and (4) no significant medical history affecting hearing. Severity of NIHL was based on the World Health Organization grading. Results: Males (74.8%) made up the majority of the police force. The mean age for police personnel was $35.55{\pm}9.57years$, and the mean duration of service was $14.75{\pm}9.39years$. Compliance with the usage of hearing protective devices was seen in 64.4%. The prevalence of NIHL in this study population was 34.2%, with a higher prevalence in males (37.7%) than in females (23.9%). The study also showed strong associations between NIHL and male sex (odds ratio, 1.9; P < 0.05), and hypertension (odds ratio, 3.3; P < 0.001). Overall, 93% were found to have mild NIHL, 3.5% had moderate NIHL, and 3.5% had severe NIHL. No police personnel were found to have profound hearing loss. Conclusion: The prevalence of NIHL in this study is high compared to other similar studies among police personnel. This study shows that increasing age, male, presence of hypertension, diabetes, and longer duration of service are significant associated factors for NIHL. Preventative strategies include health surveillance, implementation of a hearing conservation program, and legislation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권16호
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• pp.7189-7193
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• 2015

Background: Cancer is a leading cause of death throughout the world. Increasing life expectancy and aging population are important factors for increasing cancer incidences in developing countries. National programs are essential for prevention and control of cancer in any society. This study aimed to investigate cancer epidemiology and trends in the province of Hamadan, located in Northwest Iran. Materials and Methods: This analytical study was carried out based on cancer registry data from 2004 to 2009 in the province of Hamadan, analyzed using STATA (version 12) software for descriptive tests and Join point 4.1.1.1 software for analytical tests. Results: There were 7,767 registered cases of cancer during the 6 years studied. Of the total cases registered, 59.1% (4,592 cases) involved men and 40.9% (3,175 cases) occurred in women. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) increased from 72.9 to 132.0 in males and 48.2 to 115.0 in females during the 6 years of the study (p<0.001). The most common cancers were skin, stomach, breast, bladder, and leukemia. In women, teh most common were breast, skin, stomach, colorectal, and leukemia, in that order, and in men skin, stomach, bladder, leukemia, and prostate cancers. Conclusions: The cancer incidence is greater in men that women in this region but with increasing trends in both sexes. Planning regarding education in prevention of exposure to risk factors and control strategies is required to decrease the incident cases. Screening programs for common cancers in older age groups might be helpful to reduce the disease impact.

• 천문학논총
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.235-237
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• 2017

The AKARI NEP Deep Field Survey is an international multiwavelength survey over $0.4deg^2$ of the sky. This is the deepest survey made by the InfraRed Camera (IRC) of the infrared astronomical satellite AKARI with 9 filters continuously covering the $2-25{\mu}m$ range, including three filters in the Spitzer gap between the IRAC and MIPS coverages. This enabled us to make sensitive MIR detection of AGN candidates at z~ 1, based on hot dust emission in the AGN torus. It is also efficient in detecting highly obscured Compton-thick AGN population. In this article, we report the first results of X-ray observations on this field. The field was covered by 15 overlapping Chandra ACIS-I observations with a total exposure of ~300 ks, detecting ${\approx}450$ X-ray sources. We utilize rest-frame stacking analysis of the MIR AGN candidates that are not detected individually. Our preliminary analysis shows a marginal detection of the rest-frame stacked Fe $k{\alpha}$ line from our strong Compton-thick candidates.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.149-157
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• 2015

Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the most common cause of pediatric trauma patients came to the emergency department. Without guidelines, many of these children underwent repeat brain computed tomography (CT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of repeat brain CT in children with TBI. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of TBI in children younger than 19 years of age who visited the emergency department (ED) from January 2011 to December 2012. According to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale score of the patients, study population divided in three groups. Clinical data collected included age, mechanism of injury, type of TBI, and outcome. Results: A Total 83 children with TBI received repeat brain CT. There were no need for neurosurgical intervention in mild TBI (GCS score 13-15) group who underwent routine repeat CT. 4 patients of mild TBI group, received repeat brain CT due to neurological deterioration, and one patient underwent neurosurgical intervention. Routine repeat CT identified 12 patients with radiographic progression. One patient underwent neurosurgical intervention based on the second brain CT finding, who belonged to the moderate TBI (GCS score 9-12) group. Conclusion: Our study showed that children with mild TBI can be observed without repeat brain CT when there is no evidence of neurologic deterioration. Further study is needed for establish indication for repetition of CT scan in order to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure of children.

• 한국대기환경학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.275-286
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• 2013

It is well known that exposure to high level of PM (particulate matter) can adversely affect human health. However, little is known about health burden of PM considering the relationship, exposed level of PM, and health level in local communities. And, there is scarcely methodical assessment of uncertainty for application to policies of these assessment results. The scope of this study is divided into two parts: firstly to estimate the death burden of PM10 (particulate matter less then $10{\mu}m$ in diameter) in Seoul metropolitan region, and secondly to evaluate potential uncertainties in these estimates. To estimate the death burden of PM10 in Seoul metropolitan region from 2005~2010, we firstly assessed the relationship between daily mean PM10 and daily death counts in Seoul from 2000~2010, and calculated the death burden of PM10 using BenMAP (Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program). After that, we identified and characterized uncertainties to substantially influence the results of death burden. The daily mortality risk was increased 1.000227 times (p-value/0.001) associated with $1{\mu}g/m^3$ increase of daily mean PM10 for all ages population, Seoul. And, death burdens of PM10 in Seoul metropolitan region were estimated from 5.51 in 2005 to 5.12 in 2010 per 100,000 people. Finally, we categorized context, model, and input uncertainty and characterized these uncertainties in three dimensions (i.e. location, level, and nature) using uncertainty typology. In our study, we argue that uncertainties need to be identified, assessed, reported and interpreted in order for assessment results to adequately support decision making, such as the establishment of air quality standards based on health burden of air quality.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.191-200
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• 2004

Zinc (Zn) is an essential element in biological process, however inadequate Zn status in general population have been recognized. To update the knowledge for Zn-cadmium (Cd) interaction, we studied the intestinal uptake and transport, and the expression of metal transporter proteins (divalent metal transporter 1, DMT1 ; metal transporter protein 1, MTP1 ; zinc transporter 1, ZnTl ; metallothionein 1 , MT1) in duodenum after Cd exposure using Zn deficient animal model. Rats were led Zn deficient (ZnD, 0.5-1.0 mgZn/kg) or Zn supplemented (ZnS, 50mg Zn/kg) diet for 4 weeks, and followed single administration of $^{109}$ CdCl$_2$orally. The body Zn flatus and tissue Cd concentration were determined at 24 hrs after Cd administration. Total body burden of Cd and Cd absorption index (AI, %) were estimated based on the tissue Cd analyzed. DMT1, MTP1, ZnTl and MT1 mRNA were analyzed by using RT-PCR method. Feeding of Zn deficient diet for 4 weeks produced a reduced body weight gain and a depletion of body Zn. Tissue Cd concentration, body burden of Cd and Cd absorption index were higher in the ZnD diet fed rats than the ZnS diet red rats. Especially, Cd concentration in the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) and the colon of FeD diet fed rats were higher markedly than in the FeS diet group. The expression levels of DMT1, MTP1 and ZnT1 mRNA in FeD diet fed rats were similar to the FeS diet. The level of MT1 mRNA expression was significantly lower in the FeD than the FeS diet fed rats. Taken together, theses results indicate that Zn deficiency in diet induce an increased intestinal absorption and tissue retention of Cd, and down -regulate the MT1 expression in the intestine which might be play a part of role in Cd absorption and transport in mammalian. These findings suggest that deficiency of essential metal could be enhanced the toxicity of toxic, non-esstial metals through the metal-metal interaction.