• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2014

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the pollution level (gaseous and particle phase) in the public facilities for the PAHs, non-regulated materials, forecast the risk level by the health risk assessment (HRA) and propose the guideline level. PAH assessments through sampling of particulate matter of diameter < 2.5 ${\mu}m$ ($PM_{2.5}$). The user and worker exposure scenario for the PAHs consists of 24-hour exposure scenario (WIES) assuming the worst case and the normal exposure scenario (MIES) based on the survey. This study investigated 20 PAH substances selected out of 32 substances known to be carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic. The risk assessment applies major toxic equivalency factor (TEF) proposed from existing studies and estaimates individual Excess Cancer Risk (ECR). The study assesses the fine dusts ($PM_{2.5}$) and the exposure levels of the gaseous and particle PAH materials for 6 spots in each 8 facility, e.g. underground subway stations, child-care facilities, elderly care facilities, super market, indoor parking lot, terminal waiting room, internet caf$\acute{e}$ (PC-rooms), movie theater. For internet caf$\acute{e}$ (PC-rooms) in particular, that marks the highest $PM_{2.5}$ concentration and the average concentration of 10 spots (2 spots for each cafe) is 73.3 ${\mu}g/m^3$ (range: 6.8-185.2 ${\mu}g/m^3$). The high level of $PM_{2.5}$ seen in internet cafes was likely due to indoor smoking in most cases. For the gaseous PAHs, the detection frequency for 4-5 rings shows high and the elements with 6 rings shows low frequency. For the particle PAHs, the detection frequency for 2-3 rings shows low and the elements with 6 rings show high frequency. As a result, it is investigated that the most important PAHs are the naphthalene, acenaphthene and phenanthrene from the study of Kim et al. (2013) and this annual study. The health risk assessment demonstrates that each facility shows the level of $10^{-6}-10^{-4}$. Considering standards and local source of pollution levels, it is judged that the management standard of the benzo (a)pyrene, one of the PAHs, shall be managed with the range of 0.5-1.2 $ng/m^3$. Smoking and ventilation were considered as the most important PAHs exposure associated with public facility $PM_{2.5}$. This study only estimated for inhalation health risk of PAHs and focused on the associated cancer risk, while multiple measurements would be necessary for public health and policy.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.247-253
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• 2017

Accurate flood frequency and magnitude estimation has a critical role in flood risk management and damage reduction. In United States, Log Pearson Type-III (LP-III) distribution with method of moments for parameter estimation has been uniformly and consistently employed in estimating design floods. After the first version of flood frequency guidelines (Bulletin 15) was published in 1967, the revised version Bulletin 17B has been employed since 1982 up to now. A new version of flood frequency guidelines, Bulletin 17C, is prepared and about to come out soon. In the current study, we analyzed the new features of the upcoming Bulletin 17C and presented case studies applying its new features. From the presented results, we see what critical components in the new design flood frequency guideline we could learn.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.11-50
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• 2023

As the field of interventional pain management (IPM) grows, the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) is increasing. SSI is defined as an infection of the incision or organ/space that occurs within one month after operation or three months after implantation. It is also common to find patients with suspected infection in an outpatient clinic. The most frequent IPM procedures are performed in the spine. Even though primary pyogenic spondylodiscitis via hematogenous spread is the most common type among spinal infections, secondary spinal infections from direct inoculation should be monitored after IPM procedures. Various preventive guidelines for SSI have been published. Cefazolin, followed by vancomycin, is the most commonly used surgical antibiotic prophylaxis in IPM. Diagnosis of SSI is confirmed by purulent discharge, isolation of causative organisms, pain/tenderness, swelling, redness, or heat, or diagnosis by a surgeon or attending physician. Inflammatory markers include traditional (C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and white blood cell count) and novel (procalcitonin, serum amyloid A, and presepsin) markers. Empirical antibiotic therapy is defined as the initial administration of antibiotics within at least 24 hours prior to the results of blood culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Definitive antibiotic therapy is initiated based on the above culture and testing. Combination antibiotic therapy for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria infections appears to be superior to monotherapy in mortality with the risk of increasing antibiotic resistance rates. The never-ending war between bacterial resistance and new antibiotics is continuing. This article reviews prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infection in pain medicine.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2020

The recent bridge construction projects is demanded more sophisticated risk management measures and loss forecasts to brace for risk losses from an increase in the trend of bridge construction. This study aims to analyze the risk factors that caused the loss of material in actual bridge construction and to develop a quantified predictive loss model, based on the past record of insurance payment by major domestic insurance companies for bridge construction projects. For the development of quantitative bridge construction loss model, the dependent variable was selected as the loss ratio, i.e., the ratio of insurance payout divided by the total project cost, while the independent variable adopted 1) Technical factors: superstructure type, foundation type, construction method, and bridge length 2) Natural hazards: typhoon and flood 3) Project information: construction period and total project cost. Among the selected independent variables, superstructure type, construction method, and project period were shown to affect the ratio of bridge construction losses. The results of this study can provide government agencies, bridge construction design and construction and insurance companies with the quantitative damage prediction and risk assessment services, using risk indicators and loss prediction functions derived from the findings of this study and can be used as a guideline for future basic bridge risk assessment development research.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.35.1-35.10
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• 2023

Non-human primate (NHP) research faces challenges due to zoonosis risk and complex veterinary management yet lacks standardized guidelines for animal care. Therefore, we developed an advanced veterinary management protocol for NHP quarantine, anesthesia, and postoperative care. Three female 4 to 5-year-old cynomolgus monkeys were anesthetized and underwent various tests, including body weight, temperature, blood tests, urinalysis, microbiological monitoring, and physical and dental examinations. Ivermectin and medicated baths were administered to eradicate ectoparasites and endoparasites, and testing was repeated 30 days later. Following quarantine, we performed computed tomography and anesthesia maintenance for mastoidectomy. To relieve pain and maintain body weight, we administered tramadol intramuscularly 4 times/day for 3 days and meloxicam subcutaneously twice daily for 14 days. Feed replacements were provided. During the 33-day quarantine period, physical examinations revealed no abnormalities indicative of infectious diseases, and no specific clinical symptoms were observed. Through a preliminary test of anesthesia time, we selected ketamine 4 mg/kg + medetomidine 50 ㎍/kg for short experiments such as computed tomography, and ketamine 8 mg/kg + medetomidine 50 ㎍/kg for intubation. Ten days after mastoidectomy, NHPs consumed 100 kcal/kg and recovered their body weight. This study offers advanced veterinary management guideline for NHP research. Such protocols can lead to more standardized and ethical practices in NHP research, thereby enhancing the quality of studies on NHPs and the translation of findings to human health and disease.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.153-167
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• 2023

Objective: Bipolar disorder displays a spectrum of manifestations, including manic, hypomanic, depressive, mixed, psychotic, and atypical episodes, contributing to its chronic nature and association with heightened suicide risk. Creating effective pharmacotherapy guidelines is crucial for managing bipolar disorder and reducing its prevalence. Treatment algorithms grounded in science have improved symptom management, but variations in recommended medications arise from research differences, healthcare policies, and cultural nuances globally. Methods: This study compares Korea's bipolar disorder treatment algorithm with guidelines from the UK, Australia, and an international association. The aim is to uncover disparities in key recommended medications and their underlying factors. Differences in CYP450 genotypes affecting drug metabolism contribute to distinct recommended medications. Variances also stem from diverse guideline development approaches-expert consensus versus metaanalysis results-forming the primary differences between Korea and other countries. Results: Discrepancies remain in international guidelines relying on meta-analyses due to timing and utilized studies. Drug approval speeds further impact medication selection. However, limited high-quality research results are the main cause of guideline variations, hampering consistent treatment conclusions. Conclusion: Korea's unique Delphi-based treatment algorithm stands out. To improve evidence-based recommendations, large-scale studies assessing bipolar disorder treatments for the Korean population are necessary. This foundation will ensure future recommendations are rooted in scientific evidence.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-50
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• 2020

Although surgery was the standard treatment for early gastrointestinal cancers, endoscopic resection is now a standard treatment for early gastrointestinal cancers without regional lymph node metastasis. High-definition white light endoscopy, chromoendoscopy, and image-enhanced endoscopy such as narrow band imaging are performed to assess the edge and depth of early gastrointestinal cancers for delineation of resection boundaries and prediction of the possibility of lymph node metastasis before the decision of endoscopic resection. Endoscopic mucosal resection and/or endoscopic submucosal dissection can be performed to remove early gastrointestinal cancers completely by en bloc fashion. Histopathological evaluation should be carefully made to investigate the presence of risk factors for lymph node metastasis such as depth of cancer invasion and lymphovascular invasion. Additional treatment such as radical surgery with regional lymphadenectomy should be considered if the endoscopically resected specimen shows risk factors for lymph node metastasis. This is the first Korean clinical practice guideline for endoscopic resection of early gastrointestinal cancer. This guideline was developed by using mainly de novo methods and encompasses endoscopic management of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, early gastric cancer, and early colorectal cancer. This guideline will be revised as new data on early gastrointestinal cancer are collected.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.27-47
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• 2019

Purpose : This study was designed to identify the perception and practice level of infection control among korean medical doctors and to identify factors that may influence the performance and practice level. Methods : Data were collected using the on­line survey method. Seven hundred and eighty four Korean medical doctors(KMD) participated the survey. The study was conducted from December 2018 to January 2019. Results : The results of this study are as follows. 1. Participants who experienced infection risk by needles or sharp instruments were 596(76%). and participants who had experienced blood or body fluid contact with the mucous membrane or skin of the patient during treatment were 226(28.8%) of them. 2. The degree of perception and practice of the infectious guideline was higher in the group over 50 years, in the doctor group, in the group with more than 6 years experience in clinic and in the group who work in the hospital. (p < 0.05) 3. In the performance of the infection control management related to the Korean medical treatment, the practice level of the article 'Discard the remaining needle that used for one patient' was the lowest at 4.02, 'Identify the patient and check the validity period of sterilization of medicines or instruments' was the second lowest in 4.16. 4. Among the contents of "Prevention of Nosocomial infection and Sanitary Safety Guidelines" issued by the Korean Medical Association in 2008, the guideline "Prevention of infection by pathogens such as HIV, MRSA, SARS" were lowest article in the perception and practice level of participants. 5. Regression analysis was performed to find out the factors affecting perception and performance of the participants. The regression model showed significant difference in the regression model of the working years. (p < 0.05) 6. In order to examine the effect of the variables on the perception and practice of the infectious guideline, the mediated effect of the knowledge and education level according to the years of working, age, education degree was found to be significant only in the education degree variable. (p < 0.05) In conclusion : in order to improve the perception and practice of infectious control of Korean medicine doctors, it is necessary to include the contents of infection management as essential education during the continuing education of Korean medicine association.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 2004

A decision support system, Watershed Analysis Risk Management Framework(WARMF), was applied to the Kyungan Stream watershed, a tributary of Lake Paldang, for calculation of total maximum daily loads(TMDL). The WARMF system was developed by Systech Engineering, USA, and has been successfully used in several watersheds, for TMDL studies. The study area was divided into 14 sub-basins, based on digital elevation model(DEM). The integrated watershed and stream model of WARMF was validated by flow and BOD data measured during the year of 1999. There were reasonable agreements between model results and field data, both in water flow and BOD. The validated Kyungan WARMF was extensively utilized to study the quantitative relationship between waste loads and receiving water quality. Based on TMDL guideline at Paldang Lake and Kyungan Stream, the water quality criterion were set to be 3.0mg/L, 3.5mg/L, and 4.0mg/L at the watershed outlet. The allowable waste loads of BOD, both from point and non-point sources, were determined at each water quality criterion. From this study, it was concluded that the WARMF provided several advantages over the conventional application of watershed and stream models for TMDL study, such as time variable simulations, multiple possible soutions, and reduction loads for goal water quality, etc.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.220-230
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• 2023

Identification of the pathogens causing infection is important in terms of patient's health management and infection control. Synovial fluids could be used as clinical samples to detect causative pathogens of prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) using molecular diagnostic assays, therefore, normalization and validation of clinical samples are necessary. Microbial culture is considered the gold standard for all infections, including PJIs. Recently, molecular diagnostic methods have been developed to overcome the limitation of microbial culture. Therefore, guideline for validating clinical samples to provide reliable results of molecular diagnostic assays for infectious diseases is required in clinical field. The present study aimed to develop an accurate validating method of synovial fluid clinical samples using GAPDH gene as an internal control to perform the quantitative PCR TaqMan probe assay to detect pathogens causing PJIs.