• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2008

=Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the diferences in Farmer's syndrome between greenhouse-melon farmers and rice farmers. Methods: The study included 160 residents, who lived in rural community. Of those subjects, 73 and 87 from June 1 to July 30, 2006. Respondents were interviewed by means of a structured questionnaire. Results: This study showed that greenhouse-melon farmers had a lower average age, shorter experience of farming, more working hours per day than rice farmers (p<0.05). n farmers was 38.4% respectively, the prevalence in rice farmers was 22.6%. There was statistically significant diference in the prevalence of Farmer's syndrome between greenhouse-melon and rice farmers (p<0.05). The most frequent symptoms among eight symptoms that constitute the Farmer's syndrome were lumbago, shoulder pain and nocturnal urination regardless of type of farming. But greenhouse-melon farmers had higher prevalence of muskuloskeletal symptoms, such as lumbago and shoulder pain, than rice farmers (p<0.05).Conclusions: These results showed that prevalence of Farmer's syndrome was more common in the tools which reduce physical burden and take a rest and exercise periodically during work in the greenhouse-melon farmers.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2016

Objectives: In establishing policies for agricultural safety, evaluating injury burdens as well as investigating the rates and characteristics of work injury is important. This study investigated the types and characteristics of agricultural injury subjective burdens. Methods: By analyzing the injured farmers identified in the 2013 Korean Farmers' Occupational Injury Survey, the burdens caused by injuries were categorized using one direct cost item (medical costs) and five indirect cost items (including productivity decreases and wage increases). Statistical differences among the burden items were analyzed using logistic regression analysis according to the characteristics of the farmers and their farm injuries. Results: Among the subjective burdens indicated by the 457 injured farmers, disruption to work was most common. The major influences on each subjective burden item are as follows: for the item of disruption to work, age, time of injury occurrence, treatment period, and farming machine use were influential; for an increased family member's burden of farm works, the number of family members and treatment period were influential. Regarding cost burden of treatment, the results varied according to whether or not the patient was hospitalized and annual income. Conclusion: Subjective burdens induced by indirect costs rather than those induced by direct costs were found to be higher in ratio. In regard to each burden item, the results varied according to the characteristics of the farmers and their farm injuries. To support injured farmer, setting goals to reduce indirect cost burdens and preparing concrete methods is necessary.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.51-63
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to be of use for getting rid of job stress from dental technicians, by examining how much they were stressed out at work place as one of the professional medical personnels. The subjects in this study were 255 selected dental technicians who were working in the region of Taegu. The one-on-one interview was conducted from March 1 to 30, 2001, with structured questionnaire. The questionnaire sued in this study included 19 question items about the general characteristics and 29 items regarding job stress. The job stress was categorized into seven subareas based on earlier studies and considering the job situations of dental technicians: heavy workload, job conflicts, improper treatment, role and job knowledge, human relations, physical environment and personal matters. The job stress extent was measured on five-point Likert scale that is widely used in social science: one point for no stress, two for little stress, three for so-so, four for a little stress, and five for severe stress. Therefore, a higher point means a severer job stress. The reliability of the questionnaire turned out very good with Cronbach a = 0.9272. The findings of this study were as follows: 1. The general characteristics of the dental technicians investigated could be described as below: (1) By gender, 80.4% of the dental technicians were male, and 50.2%, the largest percentage, were in their 20s, followed by those in their 30s, those in their 40s, and those in their 50s in the order named. (2) The most common work place was dental technician shop(92.5%), followed by dental technology room in dental hospital or clinic and in general hospital in the order named. The primary duties were coating materials work(30.6%), followed by sculpture, grinding, partial and full denture and orthodontics in the order named. 2. The most larges (1) The most largest motivation to be a dental technician was its being a professional(33.7%), followed by the advice from others, their own aptitude, and good economic treatment in the order named. 3. Their job stress could be explained as below: (1) Their collective job stress average was 3.96$^{\circ}{\ae}$0.50 on the basis of 5 point, which showed that they were exposed to a fairly severe job stress. (2) By area, they were most stressed out from heavy workload (4.12), and they also were severely stressed from role and job knowledge(4.02) and personal matters(4.00). (3) By situation, they were most stressed when the disagreement of prosthesis that results from a specific error is unconditionally attributed to them(4.43). And they were also stressed a lot when their workload increases due to the rework(4.38), when a dentist asks something difficult for them to resolve(4.20), when heavy workload makes their working hours irregular and it's impossible to lead a personal life or have leisure time(4.16), and when they are o work for an excessively short time(4.16). This fact indicated that most of the dental technicians were exposed to a lot of stress in conjunction with job performance. 4. The main duties they took charge of didn't make any significant difference to their job stress, but yielded a significant difference to the extent of job stress in individual areas and the order of the most stressful one. Those who were engaged in grinding were most stressed from their own matters, whereas heavy workload was most stressful for those who were engaged in the other types of works. 5. As a result of seeing if their personal characteristics yielded any differences to job stress, the personal characteristics that made their job stress vary significantly were working hours, motivation of being a dental technician, job satisfaction and willingness to continue doing dental technology works. There was a tendency that longer working hours led to severer job stress, and those who chose to be a dental technician according to their own aptitude were less stressed than the others who became a dental technician because of economic reason or advices from others. And the people who were satisfied with their job were exposed to less job stress than the others who weren't, and those who had an intention to keep that job as much as possible were less stressed, compared to the others who hadn't.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.70-76
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• 2005

For clinical implementation of Enhanced Dynamic Wedge (EDW), it is necessary to adequately analyze and commission its dosimetric properties in comparison to common physical metal wedge (MTW). This study was implemented with the essential measurements of parameters for clinical application, such as percentage depth dose, peripheral dose, surface dose, effective wedge factor, and wedge profile. In addition, through the comparison study of EDW with open and MTW, the analysis was performed to characterize the EDW. We also compared EDW dose profiles of measured values using chamber array 24 (CA24) with calculated values using radiation treatment planning system. PDDs of EDW showed good agreements between $0.2\~0.5\%$ of open beam, but $2\%$ differences with MTW. In the result of the measurements of peripheral dose, it was shown that MTW was about $1\%$ higher than open field and EDW. The surface doses of $60^{\circ}$ MTW showed 10% lower than the others. We found that effective wedge factor of EDW had linear relationships according to Y jaw sizes and was independent of X jaw sizes and was independent of X jaw sizes and asymmetric Y jaw opening. In comparison with measured values and calculate values from Golden-STT based radiation treatment planning system (RTP system), it showed very good agreement within difference of $1\%$. It could be concluded that EDW is a very reliable and useful tool as a beam modification substitute for conventional MTW.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.84 no.1
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• pp.10-21
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• 1995

This study was conducted to compare the changes in the forest resources and the process of establishment and characteristics of the Forest Law in five Northeast Asian Countries, who share the Chinese culture as a common background. The effect of Forest Law on forest resources of each countries is also compared. This study shows that the forest management scheme and the modernistic forest law in the five Northeast Countries were influenced by Japan around the early 20th century. The Forest Laws of the five countries were reestablished after the end of World War II, and now the five countries have their own Forest Law. At present, the five countries are depending on the import of foreign timber for timber supply because of the shortage of domestic timber resources. The Forest Laws of the five countries have a lot of similarities reflecting same cultural background, whereas there are differences originated from social and economic discrepancies. Currently R.O.K. is worst in forest resources compared to the other countries. The Forest Law of R.O.K. has too many articles, which has little direct relationship with forest resources management. Therefore it is recommended to consolidate the law system in the field of forest and forestry in R.O.K. including the amendment of Forest Law directing to sustainable forest and maintaining the efficiency of forest resources management.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.148-153
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• 2005

Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine the reference ranges of serum albumin levels depending on the gestational ages of preterm infants. We also intended to compare the mean serum albumin levels between groups of preterm infants that did not develop clinical disorders later, and groups that did develop clinical disorders such as respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, apnea and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. We also examined the significance of serum albumin as a predictor for the development of clinical disorders. Methods : The records of 208 neonates with gestational ages from 23 weeks to 41 weeks were reviewed retrospectively. The mean albumin concentrations with reference ranges by gestational ages were determined. Statistics for each two of group were compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to model odd ratio, and 95 percent confidence interval as a mean of the association between predictors and outcome. Results : Serum albumin levels were at 23-24 weeks gestation was 2.36 g/dL, rising to 3.43 g/dL in full term babies. There were significant mean differences between the clinical groups and control groups for each clinical disorder such as respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity and apnea in premature babies of 30-36 weeks of gestation. Low serum albumin appeared to be associated with increased risks of clinical disorders. Conclusion : The normal serum albumin levels in preterm infants should be defined according to the gestational ages. Lower albumin levels increase the risks of the later development of clinical disorders, which are common in premature infants.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.309-313
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• 2006

Discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including small insertions and deletions, is one of the hot topics in genetic research. The most common type of sequence variant consists of single base differences or small insertions and deletions at specific nucleotide positions. Significance of SNPs in rice is increasing for genetic research, positional cloning and molecular breeding. $F_2$ 170 lines and $F_3$ 194 lines derived from Sangjuchalbyeo/HR13721-53-3-1-3-3-2-2 Were used for Searching SNP markers related to bacterial blight resistance. Sangjuchalbyeo is susceptible to bacterial blight, but HR13721-53-3-1-3-3-2-2 has Xa1 gene resistant to bacterial blight. Individual lines were inoculated with $K_1$ race of bacterial blight and resistant or susceptible was evaluated after 3 weeks from inoculation. The genotypes of population were analysed by PCR-RFLP for SNP marker developing. The segregation of $F_2\;and\;F_3$ population showed almost 3:1, 1:1 ratio, respectively. Analysis of genotype using SNP marker is capable of confirming resistance for $K_1$ race and genotype through amplifying the gene using 16PFXal primer and digested the PCR product with Eco RV. There were close relation between resistance test for $K_1$ race and SNP marker genotype. Especially, DNA analysis using SNP marker is capable of judging homozygote/heterozygote in $F_2$ population compared with resistant test for Kl race. So, it seems to improve the selection efficiency in disease resistant breeding.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.90-100
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• 2004

Objective : Urinary tract infection(UTI) is a frequent serious bacterial infection in young infants. The clinical presentation may be non-specific and variable, depends on factors such as the age and the level of infection. Children with renal involvement may be at risk of permanent renal damage. Experimental studies have shown that renal lesions caused by acute febrile UTI may be prevented or diminished by early diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, it is important to find a method that can permit early diagnosis and identification of patients who are at risk for progressive renal damage. We designed this study to identify related factors in culture positive UTI infants, and also to identify related factors in culture negative UTI infants, who are febrile with pyuria, by using renal imaging and functional studies including renal sonography, DMSA scan and VCUG. Methods : Retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 136 febrile infants with pyuria over 2 years(from January 2001 to February 2003). Urine culture was done in all cases, and regardless of urine culture findings, renal imaging study was done if symptomatic UTI suspected. Results : Total 57 organisms were isolated in 53 patients. E. coli was the most common organism(86%), followed by E. faecalis, M. morganii, Proteus species, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and E. fergusonii. Most of the isolates had high sensitivity on cephalosporins or amikacin and had low sensitivities on aminopenicillins. Abnormal acute phase DMSA scan or VCUG findings were seen in both urine culture positive and negative group without statistical differences(P>0.05). In febrile infants with pyuria, fever over 48 hours, older age and high CRP related to abnormal acute phase DMSA scan findings regardless urine culture results. Conclusion : 1st or 3rd generation cephalosporins with amikacin could be the first choice of treatment for UTI. Febrile infants with positive urine culture dose mean urinary tract infection but not acute pyelonephritis which directly relates to cortical damage which could be confirmed by acute phase DMSA scan. Even cases with negative urine culture findings, acute pyelonephritis should be concerned in febrile infants with pyuria who are older than 3 months of age, has fever over 48 hours or high CRP level. And in such cases, acute phase DMSA scan and VCUG should be evaluated for early treatment and long term prognosis.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.4 s.59
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• pp.741-751
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• 1997

Measurement of blood lead (PbB) and blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) are most common biological indices to identify the individual at risk for excess or the health sequences by lead exposure. Because PbB is known most important and reliable index of lead exposure, PbB is often regarded as a gold standard to detect lead exposure. But in Korea PbB is a secondary test item of detailed health check-up with positive finding of screening test in most occasion. Our lead standard requires all lead workers to take annual heath-check twice a year for investigation of their health effect due to lead exposure. Blood ZPP is one of most important index to detect high lead absorption in lead workers as a screening test. Measurement of blood ZPP is known ,well to correlate with PbB in steady state of exposure in most lead workers and is often used as a primary screening test to detect high lead absorption of lead workers with the advantage of simplicity, easiness, portability and low cost. The current cut-off criteria of blood ZPP for further detailed health check-up is $100{\mu}g/d\ell$ which is supposed to match the level of $40{\mu}g/d\ell$ of PbB according to our standard. Authors tried to investigate the validity of current criteria of cut-off level $(100{\mu}g/d\ell)$ of blood ZPP and possible another better cut-off level of it to detect the lead workers whose PbB level over $40{\mu}g/d\ell$. The subjects in our study were 212 male workers in three small scale storage battery industries. Blood ZPP, PbB and hemoglobin (Hb) were selected as the indices of lead exposure. The results were as follows. 1. The mean of blood ZPP, PbB and Hb in lead workers were $79.5{\pm}46.7{\mu}g/d\ell,\;38.7{\pm}15.1{\mu}g/d\ell,\;and\;14.8{\pm}1.2g/d\ell$, respectively. There were significant differences in blood ZPP, PbB and Hb by industry (P<0.01). 2. The percents of lead workers whose blood ZPP were above $100{\mu}g/d\ell$ in the group of work duration below 1, 1-4, 5-9 and above 10 years were 8.6%, 17.2%, 47.6%, and 50.0%, respectively. The percents of lead workers whose PbB were above $40{\mu}g/d\ell$ in those were 31.4%, 40.4%, 71.4%, and 86.4%, respectively. 3. The percents of lead workers whose PbB were below $40{\mu}g/d\ell$, $40-59{\mu}g/d\ell$ and above $60{\mu}g/d\ell$ were 54.7%, 34.9% and 10.4%, respectively. Those of lead workers whose blood ZPP were below $100{\mu}g/d\ell$, $100-149{\mu}g/d\ell$ and above $150{\mu}g/d\ell$ were 79.2%, 13.7% and 7.1%, respectively. 4. Simple linear regression of PbB on blood ZPP was statistically significant (P<0.01) and as PbB was $40{\mu}g/d\ell$, blood ZPP was $82.1{\mu}g/d\ell$. 5. While the highest sensitivity and specificity of blood ZPP test to detect lead workers with PbB eve. $40{\mu}g/d\ell$ were observed in the cut-off level of $50{\mu}g/d\ell$ and $100{\mu}g/d\ell$ of blood ZPP, respectively, the highest validity (sensitivity+specificity) of blood ZPP to detect lead workers with PbB over $40{\mu}g/d\ell$ was observed in the cut-off level of around $70{\mu}g/d\ell$ of blood ZPP. But even with optimal cut-off level of around $70{\mu}g/d\ell$ of blood ZPP, still 25.0% of false negative and 20.7% false positive lead workers were found. As the result of this study, it was suggested that reconsideration of current blood ZPP cut-off of our lead standard from $100{\mu}g/d\ell$ to somewhat lower level such as around $70{\mu}g/d\ell$ and the inclusion of PbB measurement as a primary screening test for lead workers was highly recommended for the effective prevention of lead workers.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.82-87
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• 2016

Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) produces enterotoxins known to be a virulence factor. Three isotypes of the B. fragilis toxin (BFT) gene have been identified: bft-1, bft-2, and bft-3. We investigated the presence of bft isotypes in clinical B. fragilis isolates and the antimicrobial resistance of BFT-negative and BFT-positive isolates. Overall, 537 B. fragilis isolates were collected from extraintestinal specimens over 8 years (2006~2013) from a university hospital in Korea. Samples were analyzed by multiplex PCR to identify the bft gene isotypes. Additionally, the antimicrobial susceptibility of 107 B. fragilis isolates (74 BFT-negative and 33 BFT-positive) was examined by the CLSI agar dilution method. PCR revealed a total bft gene detection rate of 30%, while 33% and 29% of blood and other extraintestinal isolates contained the gene, respectively. Among ETBF isolates, the most common isotype was bft-1 gene, followed by bft-2 and bft-3 (bft-1 77%, bft-2 14%, bft-3 9%). Resistance rates (%) for BFT-negative and positive isolates differed in response to various antimicrobial agents, with 3%, 5%, 1% and 38% of BFT-negative isolates and 3%, 6%, 3% an 42% of BFT-positive isolates being resistant to piperacillin-tazobactam, cefoxitin, imipenem, and clindamycin, respectively. Interestingly, neither BFT-negative nor positive isolates showed antimicrobial resistance to chloramphenicol and metronidazole. Overall, the proportion of ETBF from blood was similar to that of other extraintestinal sites and the bft-1 gene was the predominant isotype. Higher antimicrobial resistance rates were found in BFT-positive isolates than BFT-negative isolates, but these differences were not statistically significant.