• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.215-221
• /
• 2009

Purpose : Thymus is a lymphoproliferative organ that changes size in various physiological states in addition to some pathological conditions. Thymus is susceptible to involution, and shows a dramatic response to severe stress. Thymic measurements may be helpful in various diseases. UTI (urinary tract infection) is most common bacterial infection in infants and VUR (vesicoureteral reflux) is a common abnormality associated with UTI. In our study, the size of thymus was compared on the premise that a greater stress is exerted on the body when UTI is accompanied by VUR, than when occurs on its own. Methods : Thymic size was measured on standard chest anteroposterior radiographs and expressed as the ratio between the transverse diameter of the cardiothymic image at the level of the carina and that of the thorax (CT/T). The medical records of 99 febrile urinary tract infection infants without other genitourinary anomalies except VUR were reviewed retrospectively. Results : Among 99 patients with febrile UTIs, 25 were febrile UTI without VUR and 74 with VUR. For the UTI with VUR group, there was a significant decrease in the thymic size compared to the those without VUR group ($0.382{\pm}0.048$ vs $0.439{\pm}0.079$, P<0.05). However, there were no differences in the duration of fever and WBC, CRP between the UTI with VUR and UTI without VUR. In addition, there were no differences in the cardiothymic/thoracic ratios between renal defects and renal scars in febrile UTI patients. Conclusion : The results of this study show that the shirinkage of thymus was more frequently found in the UTI patients with VUR. Therefore, awareness of the risks associated with thymic size is important for the appropriate work up and management of UTI patients.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.1-25
• /
• 2016

The present study investigated the effect size of attention and consciousness on change detection. We confirmed the effect size of consciousness by comparing the condition which combined attention and consciousness and the condition of attention without consciousness. Then, we confirmed the effect size of attention by comparing the condition of attention without consciousness and the control condition which excluded attention and consciousness. For this purpose, change detection task and continuous flash suppression (CFS) were used. CFS renders a highly visible image invisible. In CFS, one eye is presented with a static stimulus, while the other eye is presented with a series of rapidly changing stimuli, such as mondrian patterns. The result is that the static stimulus becomes suppressed from conscious awareness by the stimuli presented in the other eye. We used a customized device with smartphone and google cardboard instead of stereoscope to trigger CFS. In Experiment 1-1, we reenacted some study to validate our experimental setup. Our experimental setup produced the duration of stimulus suppression that were similar to those of preceding research. In Experiment 1-2, we reenacted a study for attention without consciousness using an customized device. The results showed that attention without consciousness more strongly work as a cue. We think that it is reasonable to use CFS treatment employing smartphone and google cardboard for a follow-up study. In Experiment 2, when performing the change detection task, we measured the effect size of consciousness and attention by manipulating the consciousness level of cue. We used the method in which everything but the variable of interest kept being fixed. That way, the difference this independent variable makes to the action of the entire system can be isolated. We found that there was significant difference of correct response rate on change detection performance among different consciousness level of cue. In this study, we investigated that not only the role of attention and consciousness were different also we were able to estimated the effect size.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.49 no.11
• /
• pp.1194-1201
• /
• 2006

Purpose : The comatose mentality can be catastrophic, especially if the condition is severe or the duration is prolonged. Therefore, delayed diagnosis can result in a poor outcome or death. The best radiologic modality to differentiate from cerebral lesions in patients suffering from cerebral diseases is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) rather than computed tomography (CT). Special apparatuses with metal materials such as ventilators, and cardiac pacemakers belonging to patients cannot be located in the magnetic field. We aimed to exhibit the possibility of examining MRI, maintaining ventilation at a relative long distance by means of modified $Ambu^{(R)}$. Methods : Self-inflating bags as a sort of a manual ventilator, connected with relatively long extension tubes instead of mechanical ventilators, were adopted to obtain MRI. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) extension tubes had different lengths and diameters. Lengths were 1, 2, and 3 cm and diameters were 15, and 25 mm. The work of breathing and expiratory changes of expiratory tidal volume (TVe), minute volume of expiration (MVe), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) were measured by use of the mechanical ventilator, $Servoi^{(R)}$, as the alteration of TVi (inspiratory tidal volume), extension tube lengths and diameters with other values fixed. Results : Measured TVe and MVe by ventilator were the same values with control at every TVi, regardless of extension tube lengths and diameters, but PIP were increased with the rise of TVi, tube lengths, with decline of tube diameters, these were statistically significant. Conclusion : MRI examination can be carried out with a self-inflating bag connected with an extension tube at a long distance in patients who need artificial ventilation.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.222-229
• /
• 2014

Objectives: Pig farmers are known as the high risk group for the zoonoses, but the study for pig farmers to zoonoses has been rare in Korea. So we surveyed the awareness on zoonoses among pig farmers to suggest directions for education. Methods: We visited four regional spots (Gyeongsangnam-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Jeollanam-do, and Chungcheongnam-do) where the self education programs of Korea pork producers were convened. We conducted a questionnaire survey of the general, work-related characteristics and the awareness on zoonoses among 278 pig farmers. Results: The awareness rate of zoonoses itself, brucellosis, tuberculosis and salmonellosis were 52.9%, 85.6%, 87.8%, 89.6%, respectively. The awareness rate of the content related to zoonoses, "Human can be infected by the disease of pig", was 46.9%. Awareness rate of zoonoses tended to increase as the school career, and awareness rate of salmonellosis tended to increase as working duration of pig raising. Conclusions: The pig is the principal reservoir of zoonoses. Therefore, effective working guidelines to prevent zoonoses for pig farmers must be developed and an educational program on zoonoses is needed for pig farmers. Furthermore, publicity activities about the prevention of zoonoses are needed for high-risk groups.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.93-99
• /
• 2003

Objectives：Sleep loss and excessive daytime sleepiness may have serious consequences, including traffic and industrial accidents, decreased productivity, learning disabilities and interpersonal problems. Yet despite these adverse effects, there are few epidemiological studies on sleep loss and daytime sleepiness in the general population of Korea. This study investigates the number of people who suffer from sleep insufficiency, how much recovery sleep occurs on weekends, and the relationship between the amount of recovery sleep and daytime sleepiness. Methods：A total 164 volunteers, aged 20 and over, were recruited by advertisement. The subjects were workers and college students living in Seoul, Korea. Subjects were excluded if they were aged over 60；if they had medical, neurological, psychiatric or sleep disorders that could cause insomnia or daytime sleepiness；if they were not following a regular sleep schedule；if they traveled abroad during the study；or if they did not leave home to work or were shift workers. They were interviewed and given a sleep log to complete on each of 14 consecutive mornings. They also completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) at noontime on the last day of the second week. All statistical data were analyzed by t-test, $X^2$-test or ANOVA, using SPSS/PC+. Results：The results showed that the subjects woke up at 6：50 (${\pm}1$：16) on weekdays, 7：09 (${\pm}1$：29) on Saturdays, and 8：12 (${\pm}1$：39) on Sundays and holidays. They took more frequent and longer naps on Sundays than on weekdays and Saturdays. The mean sleep duration was 6h 35 min. on week nights, with a mean increase of about 1h on weekends. Only 9.1% of the subjects spent more than 8h in bed on week nights, with 67% spending less than 7h, and 49.4% reported recovery sleep of more than 1h on Sundays. The subjects who reported recovery sleep of more than 2h on Sundays, showed significantly more excessive daytime sleepiness than those who reported less than 30 min (F=2.62, p<.05). Conclusions：These findings suggest that sleep insufficiency and excessive daytime sleepiness are relatively common in Korea, and that the people who get insufficient sleep on weekdays try to compensate for sleep loss with oversleeping and daytime napping on Sundays and holidays. It appeared that daily sleep insufficiency had a cumulative effect and increased daytime sleepiness.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.183-196
• /
• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this research was to assess the agreement between job physical risk factor analysis by ergonomists using ergonomic methods and physical examinations made by occupational physicians on the presence of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities. Background: Ergonomics is the systematic application of principles concerned with the design of devices and working conditions for enhancing human capabilities and optimizing working and living conditions. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent injuries and physical and emotional stress. The major types of ergonomic injuries and incidents are cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs), acute strains, sprains, and system failures. Minimization of use of excessive force and awkward postures can help to prevent such injuries Method: Initial data were collected as part of a larger study by the University of Utah Ergonomics and Safety program field data collection teams and medical data collection teams from the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (RMCOEH). Subjects included 173 male and female workers, 83 at Beehive Clothing (a clothing plant), 74 at Autoliv (a plant making air bags for vehicles), and 16 at Deseret Meat (a meat-processing plant). Posture and effort levels were analyzed using a software program developed at the University of Utah (Utah Ergonomic Analysis Tool). The Ergonomic Epicondylitis Model (EEM) was developed to assess the risk of epicondylitis from observable job physical factors. The model considers five job risk factors: (1) intensity of exertion, (2) forearm rotation, (3) wrist posture, (4) elbow compression, and (5) speed of work. Qualitative ratings of these physical factors were determined during video analysis. Personal variables were also investigated to study their relationship with epicondylitis. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association between risk factors and symptoms of epicondyle pain. Results: Results of this study indicate that gender, smoking status, and BMI do have an effect on the risk of epicondylitis but there is not a statistically significant relationship between EEM and epicondylitis. Conclusion: This research studied the relationship between an Ergonomic Epicondylitis Model (EEM) and the occurrence of epicondylitis. The model was not predictive for epicondylitis. However, it is clear that epicondylitis was associated with some individual risk factors such as smoking status, gender, and BMI. Based on the results, future research may discover risk factors that seem to increase the risk of epicondylitis. Application: Although this research used a combination of questionnaire, ergonomic job analysis, and medical job analysis to specifically verify risk factors related to epicondylitis, there are limitations. This research did not have a very large sample size because only 173 subjects were available for this study. Also, it was conducted in only 3 facilities, a plant making air bags for vehicles, a meat-processing plant, and a clothing plant in Utah. If working conditions in other kinds of facilities are considered, results may improve. Therefore, future research should perform analysis with additional subjects in different kinds of facilities. Repetition and duration of a task were not considered as risk factors in this research. These two factors could be associated with epicondylitis so it could be important to include these factors in future research. Psychosocial data and workplace conditions (e.g., low temperature) were also noted during data collection, and could be used to further study the prevalence of epicondylitis. Univariate analysis methods could be used for each variable of EEM. This research was performed using multivariate analysis. Therefore, it was difficult to recognize the different effect of each variable. Basically, the difference between univariate and multivariate analysis is that univariate analysis deals with one predictor variable at a time, whereas multivariate analysis deals with multiple predictor variables combined in a predetermined manner. The univariate analysis could show how each variable is associated with epicondyle pain. This may allow more appropriate weighting factors to be determined and therefore improve the performance of the EEM.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.542-549
• /
• 2015

This work was carried out to evaluate the effects of preharvest 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP, $Harvista^{TM}$) and postharvest 1-MCP ($SmartFresh^{TM}$) treatments on the fruit quality attributes of cold-stored 'Fuji' ( Malus domestica Borkh.) apples. Fruits were exposed to 0, 95, 125, or $250 mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ $Harvista^{TM}$ at 3, 2, 1 weeks before harvest (WBH), and treated with 0 or $1{\mu}{\cdot}L^{-1}$ $SmartFresh^{TM}$ at harvest. Fruit was then stored for up to 180 days at $0{\pm}1^{\circ}C$. Fruit fresh weight, Hunter's value a, internal ethylene concentration (IEC), flesh firmness, titratable acidity (TA), and soluble solids content (SSC) in fruit treated with $Harvista^{TM}$ were not different from those of control fruit at harvest. During cold storage, flesh firmness and TA were higher in fruit treated with $250mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ $Harvista^{TM}$ at 2 and 3 WBH than in control fruit. IEC was 5.5-10.0% lower in fruit treated with $250mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ $Harvista^{TM}$ at 2 and 3 WBH compared with control fruit as storage duration progressed, while SSC was not affected. Furthermore, flesh firmness, TA, and IEC were affected neither by $Harvista^{TM}$ nor $Harvista^{TM}+SmartFresh^{TM}$ treatments, compared with those fruit quality attributes at harvest. The correlation maps indicated that IEC was negatively correlated with firmness and TA, regardless of $Harvista^{TM}$ application levels. In addition, positive correlations between fruit quality attributes were detected in treatments with $250mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ $Harvista^{TM}+SmartFresh^{TM}$. Therefore, the results suggest that with a single application of $SmartFresh^{TM}$, a higher level of $Harvista^{TM}$ application would help in retention of fruit quality attributes during cold storage.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.24 no.2 s.34
• /
• pp.181-194
• /
• 1991

This study intended to obtain an useful information on the prevalence of subjective symptoms, and to clarify the interrelationships between blood lead and lead related symptoms in low level lead exposure. The 93 male workers exposed to lead and 56 male nonexposed workers were examined for their blood lead(PBB), Zinc-protoporphy(ZPP), hemoglobin(HB) and personnal history, and completed 15 questionnaires related to symptoms of lead absorption : also measured lead concentration in air (PBA) in the workplace. The results obtained were as follows ; 1. The means of blood lead (PBB), blood ZPP and hemoglobin (HB) among workers exposed to lead were $26.1{\pm}8.8{\mu}g/dl,\;28.3{\pm}26.0{\mu}g/dl$ and $16.2{\pm}1.2g/dl$ : whereas those of nonexposed workers were $18.7{\pm}5.1{\mu}g/dl,\;20.6{\pm}8.7{\mu}g/dl$ and $17.3{\pm}1.1g/dl$. The means of above three indicies between two groups showed significant difference statistically (p<0.05). 2. The means of blood lead (PBB), blood ZPP and hemoglobin of workers exposed .to different lead concentration in air were as follows : When it was below $25{\mu}g/m^3$, the indices were $24.7{\pm}79,\;26.1{\pm}26.8{\mu}g/dl\;and\;16.4{\pm}1.1g/dl$ respectively : These indices were $27.1{\pm}8.5,\;23.9{\pm}10.92{\mu}g/dl\;and\;16.2{\pm}1.3g/dl$ when the lead concentration in air was $25{\sim}50{\mu}g/m^3$ : and they were $3.4{\pm}9.3,\;42.3{\pm}31.3{\mu}g/dl\;and\;15.5{\pm}1.2g/dl$ when the concentration of lead was above $50{\mu}g/m^3$. Although there were statistical difference in blood lead and hemoglobin among three different lead concentration in air, there was no statistical difference of blood ZPP among the three groups with different exposure levels (p>0.05). 3. The most frequent by complained symptom was 'Generalized weakness and fatigue', and fewest symptom was 'Intermittent pains in abdomen' 4. Only two symptoms out of fifteen symptoms checked by themselves revealed significant difference between exposed and nonexposed groups. These were 'Intermittent pains of abdomen' and 'Joint pain or arthralgia' (p<0.05), No positive correlation was found between the levels of blood lead and symptom groups categorized as gastrointestinal, neuromuscular and constitutional symptoms, 5. Blood lead (r=0.3995) and ZPP (r=0.2837) showed statistically significant correlation with mean lead concentration in air, whereas correlations were not demonstrated between blood lead and lead related symptoms or blood ZPP and lead related symptoms. 6. Blood lead (PBB) and ZPP showed association (r=0.2466) and the equation PBB=23.75+0.0842 ZPP was derived. 7. On stepwise multiple regression, using blood lead level as a dependent variable and ZPP, hemoglobin (HB), age, work duration (WD) and symptom prevalence as a independent variables, only ZPP significantly contributed a lot to blood lead level. 8. While the ZPP measurement was found to be a good indicator in evaluating health effect of lead absorption in low level lead exposure, lead related symptoms were not sensitive enough to evaluate of lead absorption in low level exposure.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.40 no.5
• /
• pp.540-547
• /
• 1993

Backgrounds: The measurement of volume of isoflow has been considered as a sensitive test for detecting small airway diseases showing normal pulmonary function in a routine pulmonary function test. To evaluate the functions of small airway among dust exposed workers, the changes of volume of isoflow were measured and its applicability of managing early stage pneumoconiosis patients was studied. Method: The subjects were 67 male, pneumoconiosis with small opacity and FEV1>80%, FEV1/FVC>75% in spirometry and the controls were 20 male, no dust-exposed office workers. The maximal epiratory volume curves after inhalation of indoor air and $He-O_2$ gas mixtures were measured and ${\Delta}V_{max50},\;{\Delta}V_{max75},\;V_{iso}V/VC$ between the dust exposed and control workers were compaired. Results: 1) There were no significant differences between two group in ${\Delta}V_{max50}$ and ${\Delta}V_{max75}$. But the ratio of $V_{iso}V/VC$ of the subjects was siginificantly higher than that of the control (p<0.01). This study confirms that $V_{iso}V/VC$ is a very useful index in early detection of small airway dysfunction. 2) The ratio of $V_{iso}V/VC$ of the subjects was signigicantly different between only smoker group and mixed group(smoker and nonsmoker). It suggestes that smoking is an important cousative factor of small airway dysfunction. 3) As the profusion of the chest X-ray increased, the rartio of $V_{iso}V/VC$ increased, but no significant difference of $V_{iso}V/VC$ was found between categories of pneumoconiosis. The categories of pneumoconiosis and small airway dysfunction may not be related. 4) No significant relationship was established between the duration of work and the ratio of $V_{iso}V/VC$. Conclusions : It is concluded that the measurement of $V_{iso}V/VC$ is useful to detect small airway dysfuction of early stage pnuemoconiosis patents with small opacities but showing normal pulmonary function in a routine pulmonary function test.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.18 no.10
• /
• pp.237-245
• /
• 2017

This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to determine the health conditions and health behaviors of merchants at traditional markets and compare them with members of the general population[ED highlight - do you mean "members of the general population"?]. The data were collected from 307 merchants at N traditional market in C City from 1-20 June 2015 at D Health Center of C City after physical measurement and blood collection and then analyzed using SPSS WIN 21.0. The male, female, and overall smoking rates of merchants at the traditional market were 34.2%, 3.5% and 11.1%, the annual drinking rates were 68.4%, 38.5%, and 45.9%, and the rates of subjects under stress and the rates of experiencing depression were 23.7%, 28.5%, and 27.4% and 5.3%, 6.1%, and 5.9%, respectively, which were all relatively lower than members of the general population[ED highlight - please ensure that my changes here are in keeping with your intended meaning.]. The male, female and overall rates of medium-level physical activities and walking were 32.9%, 19.9%, and 23.1% and 85.5%, 79.2%, and 80.8%, respectively, to have relatively good health behaviors, and the mental health is relatively fine than members of the general population[ED highlight - please clarify this, I cannot infer your intended meaning.]. However, test group[ED highlight - the test group? Please specify.] had high prevalence rates of hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and metabolic syndrome. Moreover, as the duration of work increased, the abdominal circumference as well as the prevalence rates of low HDL-cholesterol, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and arthritis increased. Therefore, the specific causes of these shall be determined, and the long-term daily life improvement program shall be prepared and applied continuously for merchants at traditional markets.[ED highlight - please specify what these refer to; however, the entire sentence can probably be deleted.