• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.99-105
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• 2012

Dyslipidemia, mainly characterized by high triglyceride (TG) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, is an important etiological factor in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Considering the relationship between childhood obesity and CVD risk, it would be worthwhile to evaluate whether previously identified lipid-related variants in adult subjects are associated with lipid variations in a childhood obesity study (n = 482). In an association analysis for 16 genome-wide association study (GWAS)-based candidate loci, we confirmed significant associations of a genetic predisposition to lipoprotein concentrations in a childhood obesity study. Having two loci (rs10503669 at LPL and rs16940212 at LIPC) that showed the strongest association with blood levels of TG and HDL-C, we calculated a genetic risk score (GRS), representing the sum of the risk alleles. It has been observed that increasing GRS is significantly associated with decreased HDL-C (effect size, $-1.13{\pm}0.07$) compared to single nucleotide polymorphism combinations without two risk variants. In addition, a positive correlation was observed between allelic dosage score and risk allele (rs10503669 at LPL) on high TG levels (effect size, $10.89{\pm}0.84$). These two loci yielded consistent associations in our previous meta-analysis. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the genetic architecture of circulating lipid levels (TG and HDL-C) overlap to a large extent in childhood as well as in adulthood. Post-GWAS functional characterization of these variants is further required to elucidate their pathophysiological roles and biological mechanisms.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2009

In 2008, baby formula containing melamine was found to be responsible for a large outbreak of renal failure in infants in China. A total of 294,000 infants were hospitalized, and at least 6 babies died due to ingestion of the tainted formula. Melamine contains high levels of nitrogen (>60%), which is used as an indicator of protein content. Therefore, high levels of melamine in infant formula were thought to be the result of deliberate contamination m an attempt to increase its apparent protein content. Following inspections by China's national inspection agency, assorted products from at least 22 dairy manufacturers across China were found to have varied levels of melamine (range: 0.096196.61 mg/kg). Melamine co-exposure with cyanuric acid can induce acute melamine-cyanurate crystal nephropathy, which can lead to renal failure at much lower doses than if either compound were ingested alone. However, currently, there are very few data on melamine analogues other than cyanuric acid. At an expert meeting of the WHO and FAO held to review toxicological aspects of melamine and cyanuric acid on December 14, 2008, a new tolerable daily intake (TDI) of melamine was established that could be applied to the entire population, including infants. Therefore, a risk assessment of the various theoretical melamine contamination levels in infant formula and selected representative foods (other than infant formula and sole-source nutrition products) is urgently needed for Korean babies and children up to 7 years of age. Although the undetectable level regulation for infant formula may be low enough to guarantee the safety of babies under the age of 1 year (including premature babies), the melamine standard of 2.5 ppm for foods other than baby formula could be insufficient to protect the 95th percentile population aged 1~2 years because of this demographic's high consumption of milk, yogurt, and soy milk (hazard index = 1.79). Because TDIs are chronic values intended to protect an individual over his/her lifetime, occasional modest ingestion in excess of the TDI is not likely to be a health concern. However, children aged 1~2 years may have renal systems that are comparatively more sensitive to the crystallization of melamine and its analogues. Therefore, governmental jurisdictions may need to practice more prudent management of food items that could raise the melamine exposure for this population.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.234-240
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• 2009

부산지역의 유흥업소 종사여성을 대상으로 HPV DNA chip 시험을 통하여 HPV 유병율 및 유전자형 분포를 조사하였다. 총 660건의 자궁경부도찰 검체로부터 258건(양성율 39.1%)이 검출되었으며, 20대에서 가장 높은 유병율을 나타내었다. 양성자의 유전자형 분포는 고위험군 유전자형의 경우 HPV-16 (15.9%), -53 (10.2%), -58 (7.7%), -18 (5.2%)순이었고, 저위험군 유전자형의 경우 HPV-70 (10.4%), -6 (4.1%), -11 Journal of Life Science 2009, Vol. 19. No. 2 239 (2.0%)순이었다. 특이하게 고위험군 감염여성의 분포비(62.0%)가 저위험군(14.7%) 및 고/저위험군 혼합감염(12.0%)보다 4배 가까이 높았다. 전체 양성자중 단일유형 감염자는 175건(67.8%)이고 혼합유형 감염자는 83건(32.2%)이었다. 본 연구 결과 밝혀진 부산지역 유흥업소 종사여성에서 많이 발견되는 HPV 유전자형 분포의 다양성은 국내 도입된 자궁경부암 예방백신의 효과 예측 및 국내 특성에 맞는 다가백신 개발의 기초 자료가 될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• 한국안전학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.65-71
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• 2012

Changes in the styles of communities are leading of increases in the number of high-rise apartments and commercial-apartment structures. Tall high-rise structures, while presenting unique economies of scale and cost effectiveness, tend to be highly engineered and complex structures. In the event of a fire, this complexity in design also results in a complexity in the behavior of fire propagation and control. High-rise structures are among the most potentially dangerous due to the high population density in the building, and the inherent limitations on evacuation and on fire control services. One of the most critical points of fire propagation is the movement of fire through the outer wall structures. Controlling such propagation is essential in controlling the spread of the fire throughout the building itself, as well as controlling the potential for its spread to adjacent buildings. In this study, we will be examining the potential for fire control design and effects mitigation using a 1/4.5 scale model. The primary focus of the study will be the effects of extended balconies into the structure of high-rise apartments. The authors will also consider the effectiveness of reduced-scale model tests.

• 한국지역지리학회지
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• 제12권5호
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• pp.614-630
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• 2006

자연 및 기술재해에 빠르고 효과적으로 대응하기 위해서는 그 재해지역 내에 있는 인구수를 정확히 추정할 필요가 있다. 그러나 센서스 구역과 재해지역의 공간적 불일치 문제 때문에, 재해지역 내에 있는 인구수를 정확하게 추정할 때에는 구역단위 인구자료를 공간적으로 세분화할 필요가 있다. 본 논문은 센서스 블럭그룹 내의 인구를 개개의 화소로 세분화하기 위한 밀도 구분적 표면모델을 구현하고, 그 표면기반 공간적 세분화 모델의 성능을 통계적 및 가시적으로 평가한다. 표면기반 공간적 세분화 모델은 밀도 구분적 내삽법과 위성영상으르부터 추출된 토지이용 및 피복자료를 사용하며 지리정보시스템에서 구현되었다. 토지이용 및 피복자료는 밀도 구분적 내삽법에서 인구의 지리적 분포에 관한 추가정보를 제공했고, 토지이용 및 피복자료의 퍼센트에 기반을 둔 경험적 표본추출법과 지역가중법은 각 화소에 대한 밀도 구분적 가중치를 객관적으로 결정하기 위해서 사용되었다. 표면기반 공간적 세분화 모델은 애틀란타 대도시권의 밀도 구분적 인구표면을 만드는데 적용되었다. 그 밀도 구분적 인구표변의 정확도는 센서스 수치와의 비교를 통해서 RMSE와 수정 RMSE를 사용하면서 검증되었다. 또한, 각 센서스 트랙과 블럭그룹별 오차들은 퍼센트 오차지도들에 의해서 가시화 되었다. 분석결과에 따르면, 밀도 구분적 인구표면은 인구수의 정확한 추정치를 제시할 뿐만 아니라, 센서스 블록그룹 내의 인구의 상세한 공간분포를 보여 준다. 또한, 인구표면은 대개 교외 및 산림지역 그리고 도심지역에서 인구를 과소평가하거나 과대평가하는 경향이 있다는 것을 밝혀냈다.

• 한국생활과학회지
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.837-848
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• 2007

The literature suggested that a small reduction in overall blood pressure can have a large effect on overall prevalence of hypertension, and therefore, the affect of taste preferences of the population on salt intake should be considered for long-term blood pressure intervention programs. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of salt taste preference and salt taste sensitivity on salt intake behavior as risk factors for high blood pressure. We collected information on blood pressure, diet and lifestyle behaviors, salt taste preference and salt taste sensitivity from 540 respondents from Suseo-dong, Seoul. Salt taste sensitivity was assessed by administering a 1% NaCl solution to the subject's tongue and measuring the perceived intensity on 10 level scale. Salt intake behavior was classified into 3 categories: frequency of high-sodium foods, practice of salt-reducing behavior and frequency of vegetable and fruit intake. Salt taste preference showed a significant relation to the subjects' blood pressure, i.e. subjects with a higher salt preference had higher blood pressure. Salt taste sensitivity did not show a significant relation to blood pressure. However, there was a positive correlation between salt taste preference and salt taste sensitivity. Among the 3 indicators used to measure salt intake behavior, the practice of salt-reducing behavior remained significantly correlated to blood pressure. Moreover, salt-reducing behavior and salt taste preference showed a significant correlation, i.e. people who do not like salty foods tend to practice more salt-reducing behavior, leading to reduced levels in blood pressure. In a population, a small reduction in overall blood pressure can have large effects in overall prevalence of hypertension, in contrast to clinical studies where achievement of an individual's normal blood pressure is emphasized. Therefore, taste preference of the population should be considered for long-term blood pressure intervention programs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권5호
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• pp.1919-1924
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• 2014

Background: In India, breast cancer is the leading malignancy among women in a majority of the cancer registries. Therefore it is important to understand screening practices and its predictors, including in rural areas with high female literacy and good health indices. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study with multistage sampling was conducted in Vypin Block, Ernakulam district, Kerala, India. Four Panchayats (self administration units) were randomly chosen and a woman in every second household was invited to participate from the tenth ward of each. Thus a total of 809 women were interviewed. Results: The majority of the repondents (82.1%) were not aware of risk factors and about a third (37.9%) were not aware of symptoms of breast cancer. About half of the population studied (46.6%) had undergone screening. Age (35-50 years), being married, health professionals as source of information and working were significant predictors of screening. Logistic regression showed that older women (35-50 yrs) were more likely to practice screening. Out of the never screened, about a third (35%) were desirous of doing it, but had not for various reasons and 53.5% were not willing to screen. The reasons identified for not screening among those desirous of doing it were grouped into knowledge 66 (43.4%), resources 23 (15.1%) and psychosocial 32(21.1%) factors. Unmarried women were significantly more likely to express factors related to all the three domains. Conclusions: This study showed that in spite of the absence of a population-based screening program, about half of the study population had undergone some type of screening. The older women (35-50 years) in particular were significantly more likely to practice screening. At this critical juncture, a high quality breast cancer awareness and screening initiative can help to consolidate the gains and tackle knowledge, resource and psychosocial barriers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.2841-2846
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• 2016

Background: Tobacco use is the single most important preventable risk factor for cancer. Surveillance of tobacco-related cancers (TRC) is critical for monitoring trends and evaluating tobacco control programmes. We analysed the trends of TRC and evaluated the population-based cancer registry (PBCR) in Delhi for simplicity, comparability, validity, timeliness and representativeness. Materials and Methods: We interviewed key informants, observed registry processes and analysed the PBCR dataset for the period 1988-2009 using the 2009 TRC definition of the International Agency for Research on Cancer. We calculated the percentages of morphologically verified cancers, death certificate-only (DCO) cases, missing values of key variables and the time between cancer diagnosis and registration or publication for the year 2009. Results: The number of new cancer cases increased from 5,854 to 15,244 (160%) during 1988-2009. TRC constituted 58% of all cancers among men and 47% among women in 2009. The age-adjusted incidence rates of TRC per 100,000 population increased from 64.2 to 97.3 among men, and from 66.2 to 69.2 among women during 1988-2009. Data on all cancer cases presenting at all major government and private health facilities are actively collected by the PBCR staff using standard paper-based forms. Data abstraction and coding is conducted manually following ICD-10 classifications. Eighty per cent of cases were morphologically verified and 1% were identified by death certificate only. Less than 1% of key variables had missing values. The median time to registration and publishing was 13 and 32 months, respectively. Conclusions: The burden of TRC in Delhi is high and increasing. The Delhi PBCR is well organized and generates high-quality, representative data. However, data could be published earlier if paper-based data are replaced by electronic data abstraction.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• 제33권46호
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• pp.288.1-288.12
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• 2018

Background: Diarrheal and intestinal infectious disease caused by inadequate drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is not only a great concern in developing countries but also a problem in low-income populations and rural areas in developed countries. In this study, we assessed the exposure to inadequate WASH in Korea and estimated the burden of disease attributable to inadequate WASH. Methods: We used observational data on water supply, drinking water, sewage treatment rate, and hand washing to assess inadequate WASH conditions in Korea, and estimated the level of exposure in the entire population. The disease burden was estimated by applying the cause of death data from death registry and the morbidity data from the national health insurance to the population attributable fraction (PAF) for the disease caused by inappropriate WASH. Results: In 2013, 1.4% of the population were exposed to inadequate drinking water, and 1.0% were living in areas where sewerage was not connected. The frequency of handwashing with soap after contact with excreta was 23.5%. The PAF due to inadequate WASH as a cluster of risk factors was 0.353 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.275-0.417), among which over 90% were attributable to hand hygiene factors that were significantly worse than those in American and European high-income countries. Conclusion: The level of hand hygiene in Korea has yet to be improved to the extent that it shows a significant difference compared to other high-income countries. Therefore, improving the current situation in Korea requires a continuous hand washing campaign and a program aimed at all people. In addition, continuous policy intervention for improvement of sewage treatment facilities in rural areas is required, and water quality control monitoring should be continuously carried out.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.460-471
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• 2012

Objectives: Due to global warming resulting from climate change, there has been increasing interest in the relationship between temperature and mortality. These temperature-related deaths depend on diverse conditions related to a given place and person, as well as on time. This study examined changes in the impact of high temperatures on death in summer, using the effect and burden of elevated temperatures on deaths in Seoul and Daegu. Methods: A Poisson regression model was used to estimate short-term temperature effects on mortality. Temperature-related risks were divided into three time periods of equal length (1996-2000, 2001-2005, and 2006-2010). In addition, in order to compare the impact of high temperatures on deaths, this study calculated the proportion of attributable deaths to population, which simultaneously considers the threshold and the slope above the threshold. Results: The effect and burden of high temperatures on deaths is high in Daegu. However, the impact (i.e. the effect and burden) of elevated summer temperatures on deaths has declined over the past 15 years. Sensitivity analyses using alternative thresholds show the robustness of these findings. Conclusion: This study suggests that the attributable burden of high temperatures on deaths to be more plausible than relative risk or threshold for comparing the health impact of high temperatures across populations. Moreover, these results contain important implications for the development or the adjustment of present and future strategies and policies for controlling the temperature-related health burden on populations.