• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.79-85
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• 2015

Objectives: A vertebral compression fracture (VCF) is characterized by back pain and fracture of a vertebral body on spinal radiography. VCFs of the thoraco lumbar spine are common in the elderly. In general, appropriate analgesics should be prescribed to reduce pain and, thus, promote early mobilization. The ideal treatment approach for VCFs has not been determined. In Korea, acupuncture and herbal medication have been used to treat VCFs for many years. There is empirical evidence that acupuncture might benefit patients with a VCF. However, no randomized, controlled, clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and the safety of acupuncture for treating a VCF have been published. Therefore, we designed a randomized, controlled, pilot, clinical trial to obtain information for the design of a further full scale trial. Methods: A five week protocol for a randomized, controlled, pilot, clinical trial is presented. Fourteen patients will be recruited and randomly allocated to two groups: a control group receiving interlaminar epidural steroid injections once a week for three weeks, and an experimental group receiving interlaminar epidural steroid injections plus acupuncture treatment (three acupuncture sessions per week for three weeks, nine sessions in total). The primary outcomes will be the pain intensity (visual analogue scale and PainVision$^{TM}$ system). The secondary outcome measurements will be the answers on the short form McGill pain questionnaire and the oswestry disability index. Assessments will be made at baseline and at one, three, and five weeks. The last assessment (week five) will take place two weeks after treatment cessation. This study will provide both an indication of feasibility and a clinical foundation for a future large scale trial. The outcomes will provide additional resources for incorporating acupuncture into existing treatments, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, narcotics and vertebral augmentation. This article describes the protocol.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2020

The aim of this study is toxicity assessment using two types of sea urchins (H. pulcherrimus, M. nudus) that can representative primary consumers in potential coastal environments pollutants, Zinc undecylenate (ZU), which is used for various purposes, such as pharmaceutical agents and anti-bacterial and anti-fungi. The Fertilization rate and normal embryogenesis rate of H. pulcherrimus and M. nudus were concentration-dependent decreased. Besides, EC₅₀ of fertilization rate with H. pulcherrimus and M. nudus were 11.27 mgl^-1 and 1.48 mgl^-1, and EC₅₀ of normal embryogenesis were 0.94 mgl^-1 and 3.78 mgl^-1. NOEC of normal embryogenesis were 0.20 and 0.78 mgl^-1, respectively. In addition, to find the safety criteria of the ZU on the marine environment. PNEC value was 0.0094 mgl^-1, calculated using the toxicity values of two species of sea urchin derived from this study and the acute toxicity results of the coastal area through literature research. The above results will be used as basic data for establishing environmental protection strategies for marine environmental pollutants.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.195-205
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• 2022

Background: The biggest concern when using household chemical products is the health risk from inhalation exposure. Objectives: The purpose of this paper was to provide information necessary for estimating inhalation exposure factors in several countries/organizations and to present some examples. Methods: We attempted to use PRISMA-ScR for a systematic review, but no major reports were found. We used the Google search function instead to find 'exposure factor handbook'. As for the results, inhalation exposure factors from South Korea, the United States, Canada, the EU, Australia, Japan, and China were compared. Results: The basic concept and origin of exposure factors was the US Environmental Protection Agency's Exposure Factor Handbook. Its latest version is 2011, but several chapters have been updated in 2017, 2018, and 2019. South Korea's Exposure Factor Handbook was updated in 2019, more recently than those of other countries, and was systematically investigated. In South Korea, the average daily respiratory rate is 14.62 m³/day for adults and 12.73 m³/day for children. It is difficult to compare breathing rate by country because each country divides age groups differently and uses different methods to estimate it. Information on household chemical products, space used, and ventilation rate are in the exposure factor handbook in some countries and not in others. It is not in the handbook in South Korea, but in the notice from the NIER (National Institute of Environmental Research), a sub-regulation of the Chemical Product Safety Act. Conclusions: The exposure factors registered in South Korea's exposure factor handbook have been systematically studied and reflect the most recent data. When using data not in the relevant handbook, data from other countries might be applied, but it should be determined whether the nature and quality of the original data have been managed.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2015

The structures of reinforced concrete have been extensively increased with rapid development of industrial society. Futhermore, these reinforced concretes are easy to expose to severe corrosive environments such as seawater, contaminated water, acid rain and seashore etc.. Thus, corrosion problem of steel bar embedded in concrete is very important in terms of safety and economical point of view. In this study, specimens having six different coating thickness (W/C:0.5) were prepared and immersed in flowing seawater for five years to evaluate the effect of coating thickness and immersion time on corrosion property. The polarization characteristics of these embedded steel bars were investigated using electrochemical methods such as corrosion potential, anodic polarization curve, and impedance. At the 20-day immersion, the corrosion potentials exhibited increasingly nobler values with coating thickness. However, after 5-yr. immersion their values were shifted in the negative direction, and the relationship between corrosion potential and coating thickness was not shown. Although 5-yr. immersion lowered corrosion potential, 5-yr. immersion did not increase corrosion rate. In addition, after 5-yr. immersion, the thinner cover thickness, corrosion current density was decreased with thinning coating thickness. It is due to the fact that ease incorporation of water, dissolved oxygen and chloride ion into a steel surface caused corrosion and hence, leaded to the formation of corrosion product. The corrosion product plays the role as a corrosion barrier and increases polarization resistance. The corrosion probability evaluated depending on corrosion potential may not be a good method for predicting corrosion probability. Hence, the parameters including cover thickness and passed aged years as well as corrosion potential is suggested to be considered for better assessment of corrosion probability of reinforced steel exposed to partially or fully in marine environment for long years.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.241-249
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• 2020

This study investigated the whitening activity using seomaeyakssuk (Artemisia argyi H.) extract. Seomaeyakssuk was extracted from hot DW (AAD) and 70% ethanol (AAE). And confirmed safety through assessment of cytotoxicity. Also, whitening activities were measured through changes in the levels of extracellular melanin, melanin synthesis, cellular tyrosinase activity and transcription factor. The results confirmed that significant cytotoxicity does not appear in the concentration range of 50, 100, and 200 ㎍/㎖ of both extracts of this study. The production of extracellular melanin was slowed by AAD 45.0% and AAE 1.3% at 200 ㎍/㎖ concentration. Also, production of intracellular melanin was decreased AAD 37.2% and AAE 24.6%. In the case of intra cellular tyrosinase activity was reduced to AAD 49.2% and AAE 35.6% at 200 ㎍/㎖ concentration. The mRNA expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2 significantly decreased by AAD 63.0%/AAE 58.0%, AAD 60.0%/AAE 56.0% and AAD 59.0%/AAE 53.0%, respectively, following the 200 ㎍/㎖ sample treatment when compared to the control. Both extracts showed efficient changes of production of whitening-related factor and transcription factor. But AAD was found to have a higher inhibitory effect than AAE. In other words, seomaeyakssuk was showed significant biological activities showing whitening without cytotoxicity. These results will be provided as fundamental data for further development of the new material of functional cosmetics to the results above.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.5-17
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• 2000

The occupational health nursing guideline for primary care was developed by the Korean Academic Society of occupational health nursing and the organization for occupational health nurses (currently known as the Korean Association of Occupational Health Nurses) in 1993. Since then, there have been many changes in the health care environment and job performance of occupational health nurses. Appropriate revisions are necessary of the guidelinea based on this background. The purpose of this study was to describe the use of the occupational health nursing guideline for primary care and to analyze the characteristics of primary care activities by occupational health nurses. The questionnaire was mailed to 150 occupational health nurses(OHNs) with the response rate of 64%. The results can be summarized as follows; 1. 65.6% of OHNs have been using the guideline for primary care and 75.9% of them agreed that the guideline was be helpful for their job. 2. Common symptom care, emergency care and chronic illness care were more frequently implemented than occupational disease care by OHNs. In manufacturing industries, emergency care was more frequently implemented than chronic illness care in contrast to the service industries. 3. Most frequent common symptoms treated by OHNs were indigestion, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, and coughing. In the case of chronic illness, OHNs more frequently treated diseases of the gastro-intestinal system, skin and sensory organs, and the respiratory system. Emergency care for bruises, burn, and abrasions was more frequently provided. VDT syndrome was the most common occupational disease cared by OHNs in manufacturing and service industries. 4. OHNs prescribed the medicine for external application more frequently than internal medicine. Remedy for colds, analgesics, vitamins, and digestives were more frequently used. From these results, we suggest that the guideline should be revised to emphasize the activities consisting problem finding such as health assessment, physical examinations, monitoring and screening, and to renew the drug list in the range of over- the counter medication (OTC). In the future, the guideline will include the strategies for the role as the case manager.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of further acupuncture research as an effective alternative and safe treatment for abdominal pain control in patients with pancreatitis. Methods and Results : This study is an open-label, assessment-blind, parallel designed pilot clinical trial. Thirty participants will be assigned to the acupuncture group(n=15) and usual care group(n=15). All patients will receive the conventional standard-of-care(SOC) therapy, but only the experimental group will receive acupuncture therapy six times a week, and the duration of acupuncture therapy will be held up to 12 weeks or until the pains are to be resolved. For the conventional SOC therapy, painkiller will be given. In treatment group, the subjects will receive the identical SOC therapy in combination with electroacupuncture therapy on twelve acupuncture points(LI4, PC6, SP6, GB39, ST36, ST37), and auricular acupuncture therapy on five auricular acupuncture points(Sympathetic, Shen Men, Abdomen, Pancreas gall, and Spleen). The primary outcome will be measured using the visual analogue scale(VAS), and the secondary outcome will be measured using the painkiller demand, quality of life index and severity of pancreatitis by abdominal computed tomography(CT). Assessments will be made at baseline and at week 1, 4, 8 and 12. Results of abdominal CT will be evaluated at baseline and at week 12. Conclusions : The result of this trial will provide a basis for the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment for abdominal pain in patients with pancreatitis.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.104 no.4
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• pp.632-639
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• 2015

Working in the forest would require a wide range of skills and experience for specific tasks which involve with a high level of risks to worker's safety. However, there has been a concern on the current standard wage system for forest workers because it does not effectively reflect the characteristics of typical working conditions in the forest. In addition, the current standard wages for forestry workers was estimated based on the construction industry's wage system. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess a current wage system through the mail survey method and to develop a new wage system for forest worker which effectively reflects skill sets and experience required for successful completion of the work in the forest. We mailed the survey questionnaire consisting of 19 questions to 659 forest workers and received 188 responses resulting in a 28.5% response rate. The results showed that the current average optimal wages of forest worker, special worker and feller were 97,680won/day, 127,559won/day and 152,403won/day, respectively though there were variations depending on the regions. In developing the new standard wage system, this study suggest the current work types(worker, special worker and feller) could be divided into 5 work types (forest-environment workers, forest operations in beginner, forest operations in intermediate, forest operations in advanced and forest equipment operator) reflecting specialty of forest operation thereby stabilizing the new wage system for forest workers.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.45-68
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• 2020

Objectives : This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of manual and electroacupuncture on glaucoma. Method : We searched 11 electronic databases using index words to identify randomized clinical trials. Meta-analysis of weighted mean difference (WMD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) were used to evaluate the outcomes. Cochrane bias risk assessment tool was used to assess the risk of bias in each clinical study. The collected data was analyzed using RevMan software (ver. 5.3). Results : At the initial stage of data retrieval, 549 papers were searched. After reviewing 37 full texts, a total of 10 RCT studies (426patients, 715 eyes) were selected and 8 RCT studies (357 people, 617 eyes) were involved in meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of 8 RCTs showed that acupuncture alone was more effective in reducing intraocular pressure(IOP) than conventional treatment (WMD = -5.73, 95% CI: [-12.30, 0.83], P = 0.09, I² = 97%) The combination of acupuncture or electroacupuncture with conventional treatment was also effective in lowering IOP (WMD = -1.84, 95% CI: [-2.31, -1.37], P <0.00001, I² = 45%). It was estimated that the combination of acupuncture with conventional treatment was also effective for improving visual field (VF) (WMD = -2.17, 95% CI: [-4.32, -0.02], P = 0.05, I² = 89%) but improvement in visual acuity (VA) was not significant (MD = 0.06, 95% CI: [-0.03, 0.15], P = 0.23, I² = 0%). Subgroup analyzes were performed only for the studies that used open glaucoma as the study's disease and combination of acupuncture or electroacupuncture with conventional therapy would have an effect on lowering intraocular pressure (WMD = -1.68)., 95% CI: [-2.46, -0.90], P <0.0001, I² = 29%). Conclusion : This study suggests that acupuncture treatment for glaucoma may be effective in reducing intraocular pressure and helpful in improving visual field defects. However, due to the small sample size, high risk of bias and high heterogeneity in the methodology, it is expected that further studies will be needed to verify the results. Further studies in large-scale samples based on a minimized biased methodology would be necessary.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.339-353
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• 2003

The rapid increase in food borne illness outbreaks in Korea has been one of the major threats to the Nation's Health. Foodservice establishments have been identified as the major place for these outbreaks, mainly due to the lack of sanitary management and sanitary facility management practices. The purposes of the study were to develop hospital foodservice facility evaluation tools, based on the general HACCP-based standards and guidelines, for hospital food service establishments, to ensure the safety of these foodservices and to reduce the risk of food home illness. The scope of this study included: 1) an assessment of the current foodservice sanitation practices and managements for 6 general hospitals, with more than 400 beds, and 3 general hospitals, with less than 400 beds; 2) the development of foodservice establishments sanitation evaluation tools and sanitation standards, based on the HACCP system. The survey data showed varied results between the hospitals surveyed. Most of the hospital foodservice operations had many problems with ventilation and the plumbing. The total dimensional mean scores for the hospitals with more than 400 beds and less than 400 beds were 31.5 and 27.0, respectively. The highest dimension scores were for the water supply facility and lighting, with the lowest for insect and rodent control and toxic materials management. The levels of the mean scores were very low, especially for the general hospitals with less than 400 beds. These low mean scores may have arisen from critical problems within the hospital foodservice operations. The most needed facility management items for improvement were: storage shelf should be spaced 6 inches from the floor and walls, the use of three compartment sinks, utility sinks and cleaning facilities, with a floor drain for cleaning mops or liquid wastes, a ventilation hood designed to prevent dripping onto food, cooking facilities should be disassembled for washing and sanitizing, a separated hand washing sink and a sanitized food board for each area should be provided, all toxic material must have warning labels attached, and be stored in an area away from food preparation under padlock. The evaluation tool consisted of 14 dimensions, with 65 check-off items. The results of this study will provide basic facilities' guidelines to regulators, or foodservice industry personnel, wishing to build, or expend, and establish an efficient flow of food. As a result, food borne illnesses will be effectively prevented, and the Nation's health will be promoted for the development of their own sanitation standards, with a checklist for the safe production of foods.