• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.199-206
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• 2006

Various heavy metals have been known for causing ischemic stroke. In order to describe the causative relationship between the blood levels of various heavy metals and stroke patients, 116 patients with stroke and 111 patients without stroke were selected from one Oriental medical hospital in Wonju, Korea. Total of 9 kinds of metals such as As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were analyzed in blood from patients with and without stroke. There were no significant differences in the means of metal concentrations between the stroke and nonstroke patients except for the mean of Co concentration. In the case of Co, the means for stroke and non-stroke patients were 0.44 ug/l and 0.40 ug/l showing a significant difference at the level of p-value=0.05. The odds ratios for each metal ranged from 0.96 to 2.86. Most odds ratios were not significant but the odds ratio for Co, $2.86{\pm}1.49$ was significant, indicating that Co increases the risk of stroke by 2.86 times. In order to identify the specific risk level of stroke increased by a multiple interaction of metals, regression coefficients and odds ratio for a pair or multiple pair of metals were reanalyzed. However, all of regression coefficients and odds ratios were not significant. In conclusion, Co showed the significant level in blood from patients with stroke. In addition, the odds ratio of stroke was significantly different from other metals. Thus, it is considered that Co among various metals analyzed in this study is the important metal for increasing the risk of stroke.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.511-520
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• 2020

Purpose: Thickened infant formulas reduce regurgitation frequency and volume. Because the digestive tolerance of locust bean gum-containing formulas is controversial, the effectiveness and tolerance of a locust bean gum-thickened formula in infants presenting with regurgitation was evaluated. No other interventions were allowed during the 1 month follow-up period. Methods: We conducted an open, prospective, observational study of a locust bean gum-thickened formula administered to infants presenting with moderate to severe regurgitation according to parents during 1 month. Effectiveness and tolerance were assessed by evaluating gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life indicators. Results: A total of 2,604 infants with an average age of 9.3±4.3 weeks were included in this 1 month trial. Regurgitation frequency and estimated volume decreased significantly (p<0.001) and the episodes were resolved completely in 48% of the infants. A significant decrease in duration of crying and episodes of gas (p<0.001), with improvement in quality of life parameters, was observed. Stool frequency increased and stool consistency softened (p<0.001) to levels within the physiologic range, consistent with the increased fiber load (0.42 g/100 mL). Conclusion: Locust bean gum-thickened formula decreased infant regurgitation, was well tolerated, and improved parental quality of life. Stool composition and frequency of the infants remained within the physiologic range.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.618-626
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• 2019

This study conducted basic studies to develop electromagnetic wave shielding maternity wear. We investigated electromagnetic wave shielding fabrics and products as well as surveyed actual wearing states for pregnant women aged 35 to 44 and women who gave birth within the past one year. Available electromagnetic wave blocking products for pregnant women were blankets, aprons, maternity belts, and underwear. These only cover the abdomen and it was hard to find out electromagnetic waves shielding maternity wear, which can enhance functionality and complement the body shapes of pregnant women. The aged mother responded pregnancy delay was mostly attributable to late marriage, career, financial difficulty and health problems. Major health threats to babies were high stress levels during pregnancy, followed by electromagnetic waves from electronic devices. They prioritized physical activity, design, functionality and safety when wearing maternity wear. When purchasing maternity wear, they emphasized design, price, materials and size. The most preferred clothing was one-piece dress; consequently, only 11.1% of them were satisfied with the quality of maternity wear with complaints mostly about design and price. A total of 63% of respondents tried to protect themselves from electromagnetic waves. Most aged mothers showed a positive intention on purchasing electromagnetic waves blocking maternity wear for babies with concerns dealing with safety of materials, prices, ease of laundry, and body complementing design.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.57-68
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study is to propose the benefits of reduction measures according to the occupational radon reference level in order to present basic data for radon management guidelines considering domestic circumstances. Methods: This study uses radon data measured in the subway stations from 2015 to 2016. Of the total of 4,643 cases, 4,231 cases were analyzed excluding the 412 cases where the values were below $300Bq/m^3$. Results: Cost-Benefit analysis was done on the results of the field survey on subway work sites. At the exposure level of $400Bq/m^3$, the ratio between the cost and the benefit was highest at 1 : 1.81(the cost was KRW 1,398,568,032, while the benefit KRW 2,5248,772,841). At the exposure level of $600Bq/m^3$, the ratio of cost and benefit was 1: 1.80, at $300Bq/m^3$ it was 1.72, at $800Bq/m^3$ it was 1.71, at $200Bq/m^3$ it was 1.54, and at $100Bq/m^3$ it was 1.40. Conclusions: Radon management in the workplace provides economic benefits and appropriate reduction strategies are needed. In addition, it is necessary to establish and distribute radon exposure assessment procedures and guidelines for the safety and health of employees when exceeding the exposure standard, and guidelines for radon management in the workplace should be established.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.447-453
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• 2019

In this study, the contamination of 4 types of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury) was monitored in 80 seaweeds and their processed products, and a food safety assessment was also carried out for these heavy metals. Lead, cadmium and arsenic were analyzed by ICP-OES and mercury was analyzed by mercury analyzer. The detection ranges of heavy metals were found as follows: Pb (N.D-0.802 mg/kg), Cd (N.D-0.759 mg/kg), As (0.134-17.296 mg/kg), and Hg (0.0005-0.0331 mg/kg). Pb and Hg showed no significant differences among seaweeds whereas Cd and As were significantly higher in the species hizikia fusiforme (P<0.05). Food safety assessment from seaweed intake was measured by PTWI (Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake), PTMI (Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake), and MADL (Maximum Allowable Daily Body Load) as set by JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives). Pb and Hg were 0.197%, 0.036% of PTWI respectively, while Cd was 1.877% of PTMI and As was 0.619% of MADL. Therefore, it was found that heavy metal levels of seaweed were low and was considered to be safe for consumption.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.685-689
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• 2016

Opisthorchiasis is still a major health problem in rural communities of Thailand. Infection is associated with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), which is found frequently in Thailand, particularly in the northeastern. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of health intervention in the population at risk for opisthorchiasis and CCA. A quasi-experimental study was conducted in Meuang Yang district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, northeastern Thailand, between June and October 2015. Participants were completed health intervention comprising 4 stations; 1, VDO clip of moving adult worm of liver fluke; 2, poster of life cycle of liver fluke; 3, microscopy with adult and egg liver fluke; and 4, brochure with the knowledge of liver fluke containing infection, signs, symptoms, related disease, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control. Pre-and-post-test questionnaires were utilized to collect data from all participants. Students paired t-tests were used to analyze differences between before and after participation in the health intervention. Knowledge (mean difference=-7.48, t=-51.241, 95% CI, -7.77, -7.19, p-value =0.001), attitude (mean difference=-9.07, t=-9.818, 95% CI=-10.9, -7.24, p-value=0.001), and practice (mean difference=-2.04, t=-2.688, 95% CI=-3.55, -0.53, p-value=0.008), changed between before and after time points with statistical significance. Community rules were concluded regarding: (1) cooked cyprinoid fish consumption; (2) stop under cooked cyprinoid fish by household cooker; (3) cooked food consumption; (4) hygienic defecation; (5) corrected knowledge campaign close to each household; (6) organizing a village food safety club; (7) and annual health check including stool examination featuring monitoring by village health volunteers and local public health officers. The results indicates that the present health intervention program was effective and easy to understand, with low cost and taking only a short time. Therefore, this program may useful for further work at community and provincial levels for liver fluke prevention and control.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.307-313
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• 2017

Objectives: Chemicals derived from various environment media contaminates food across the food supply chain. In Korea, levels of contaminants in food have been sporadically measured by monitoring programs of different government agencies. There is difficulty with data compilation and integrated analysis across media. Therefore, the aim of this study was to propose an overall integrated database and analytical platform design for the 'ECO-FOOD NET (Environmental COntaminant reduction platform for FOOD through an interagency collaboration NETwork)', a tool to support the reduction of environmental contaminants in food. Methods: We developed a new data structure and standardized protocols for the compilation of integrated data. In addition, we conducted subject-oriented logical and physical relational database modeling and created the architecture design of the platform. Results: We established a standardized code system related to exposure media and route, analysis method and food matrix. In addition, we designed the seven software modules of 'About the System', 'Introduction to Interagency Work', 'Media-Chemicals Profiles', 'Method Bank', 'Monitoring Data Base', 'Integrated Media Analysis', and 'Risk-Benefit Analysis'. Conclusions: This study will contribute to decision-making as a tool for executing risk management, such as sustainable reduction policies of contaminants in food.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.221-226
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• 2013

This study aimed to examine the antioxidant, tyrosinase inhibitory, and anti-proliferative activities (A549, G361, HT-29, and MDA-MB-231) of fermented gochujang (made from sword bean cheonggukjang powder (SBC) for 90 days. Gochujang was prepared by adding 0 (SBC 0), 2 (SBC 2), 5 (SBC 5), 8 (SBC 8) and 10% (SBC 10) levels with SBC, and all experiments were measured at diluted levels of 20, 50 and 100 times. The antioxidant activity and tyrosinase inhibitory effect demonstrated that SBC 10 increased approximately 1.2 and 1.1 times compared with SBC 0, respectively, at diluted levels of 50 and 100 times. The anti-proliferative effects of A549, G361, and HT-29 presented that SBC 10 were 2.8, 1.1, and 8.9 times higher compared with SBC 0, respectively, at diluted levels of 50, 20, and 100 times. In the case of MDA-MB-231, SBC 10 was 3.7 times higher compared with SBC 5 at diluted level of 20 times. As a result, we confirmed that SBC gochujang was improved for physiological activities and anti-proliferative effects.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2024

Although there have been several attempts to use virtual reality (VR) in the treatment of depression, the results have been inconsistent and existing studies have mostly relied on subjective measures to assess the effectiveness of VR in improving depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nature experience-based VR intervention on depressive symptoms in a young population using both subjective and objective measurements. The study population included 15 participants who had more than 14 identifiers of the Korean Beck Depression Inventory (K-BDI)-II. Participants received three weeks (four times per week) of VR intervention. The effectiveness of VR was assessed through changes in K-BDI-II scores and depression-related blood biomarkers. Nature experience-based VR intervention led to an approximately 50% reduction of K-BDI-II score (before 25.7±7.7 vs. after 12.5±8.3 (P<0.001)). Of these, loss of pleasure and fatigue showed the largest amount of improvement. However, levels of cortisol, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and interleukin-6 did not differ from those at baseline. The findings of our pilot study suggest that nature experience-based VR can be a useful adjunctive treatment method for improving depressive symptoms in individuals who have difficulty accessing the real outside natural environment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.222-237
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aims to assess the current status of work environment measurement (WEM) for carcinogenic, mutagenic, reproductive toxic substances and to identify their high-risk industries for hazard surveillance and risk assessment. Methods: WEM Data from 37 specially managed CMR substances (2018-2022), the high-risk industries were identified by using estimated 95th percentile levels (X_0.95) of measurements compared with the occupational exposure limit (OEL). Results: The substances most frequently measured were nickel (insoluble), followed by sulfuric acid, lead, chromium (VI), formaldehyde, phenol, dimethylformamide and benzene. The industries with highest number of measurement samples for special management substances were plating of metals, followed by hospitals, general repair services of motor vehicles, building of ships, manufacture of synthetic resin and other plastic materials, manufacture of finished medicaments. Out of the 37 special management substances studied, 22 had a non-detection rate of over 90%. The rate of samples exceeding the OEL was less than 1% for all substances. The substance with the highest number of samples exceeding the OEL was trichloroethylene, which also had the highest average concentration compared to exposure limit. The substances with the highest percentage of industries which (X_0.95) exceeding OEL was formaldehyde followed by sulfuric acid, trichloroethylene, lead, I-bromopropane etc. Conclusions: This study identified high-risk industries of CMR sunstances, highlighting the need for prioritizing these industries in hazards surveillance and risk assessment.