• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.244-248
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• 2021

Background: Sunburn is the main avoidable cause of skin cancer. Beach lifeguards spend many hours exposed to the effects of solar radiation during their work day, precisely at times of the year when levels of solar irradiation are highest. The aim of this study is to quantify the risk to beach lifeguards of sun exposure. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Western Costa del Sol, southern Spain, during the summer of 2018. The research subjects were recruited during a skin cancer prevention course for beach lifeguards. All participants were invited to complete a questionnaire on their habits, attitudes, and knowledge related to sun exposure. In addition, ten were specially monitored using personal dosimeters for three consecutive days, and the results were recorded in a photoprotection diary. A descriptive analysis (mean and standard deviation for the quantitative variables) was performed, and inter-group differences were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Two hundred fifteen lifeguards completed the questionnaire, and 109 met the criteria for inclusion in this analysis. The mean age was 23.8 years (SD: 5.1), 78.0% were male, 71.5% were phototype III or IV (Fitzpatrick's phototype), and 77.1% had experienced at least one painful sunburn during the previous summer. The mean daily personal ultraviolet exposure per day, the minimal erythema dose, and the standard erythema dose, in J/m², were 634.7 [standard deviation (SD): 356.2], 2.5 (SD: 1.4) and 6.35 (SD: 3.6), respectively. Conclusion: Beach lifeguards receive very high doses of solar radiation during the work day and experience correspondingly high rates of sunburn. Intervention strategies to modify their sun exposure behavior and working environment are necessary to reduce the risk of skin cancer for these workers and to promote early diagnosis of the disease.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.497-506
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• 2023

의료기관의 방사선 업무 종사자의 경우 환자 보호와 정확한 시술을 위해 방사선 노출이 이루어져 저선량 피폭의 문제점을 안고 있다. 저선량 방사선 피폭은 주로 Apron 영역 이외에 신체 부분에서 발생되며, 가장 많은 곳이 손 등 피부이다. 특히, 의료인의 손은 시술 중 감각과 미세한 동작을 필요로 하기에 방사선 노출영역에서는 무방비 상태로 피폭의 위험성을 안고 있다. 납장갑 등 차폐체로 문제를 해결할 수 있지만, 이는 시술 중 손의 활동성을 제안하여 사용상의 어려움이 있다. 이러한 문제점을 해결하고자 기능성 방사선 보호효과를 얻을 수 있는 차폐크림을 개발하여 납당량 0.1 mmPb와 차폐성능을 비교하였다. 차폐크림 제조과정에서 크림의 밀도를 높이기 위해 기공을 줄이는 탈포과정을 추가하여 차폐성능을 개선하였다. 따라서 황산바륨을 주 재료로 사용한 차폐크림은 납 plate보다 차폐율이 낮은 실효에너지 영역에서는 59%, 높은 실효에너지에서는 37% 정도의 차이는 보여 기능성 방사선 방어효과가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 피부에 직접 사용할 수 있는 장점으로 상시 방어효과와 수술용 장갑 착용전에 사용이 가능한 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.99-107
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• 2024

Gastric cancer has been consistently decreasing worldwide, whereas cardia gastric cancer is on the rise. This indicates that the exposure rates to epidemiological causes are changing. In this study, we aim to review the risk factors for gastric cancer with respect to cardia and non-cardia types. One of the most significant risk factors for gastric cancer is Helicobacter pylori infection. H. pylori infection is known as a risk factor for non-cardia gastric cancer, and there have been results indicating that H. pylori infection is not associated with cardia gastric cancer. However, in the East Asian region, there is epidemiological evidence suggesting that H. pylori infection might be a risk factor for cardia gastric cancer. Smoking and alcohol consumption are known risk factors for gastric cancer, regardless of anatomical location. Obesity is considered a factor in the development of cardia gastric cancer. However, further research is needed to understand the specific relationship with non-cardia gastric cancer. The consumption of high-salt and processed meat is more distinctly associated with noncardia gastric cancer than in cardia gastric cancer. In addition to these factors, exposure to chemicals and radiation are considered risk factors for gastric cancer. Primary prevention of gastric cancer involves eliminating or avoiding risk factors such as H. pylori eradication and adopting a healthy lifestyle, including quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and having a low-salt diet.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제41권6호
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• pp.643-649
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• 2018

Recently, together with advancement of domestic aviation industry, overseas tourists using planes have been soared. This study aimed to investigate the risk of diseases for the passengers and flight attendants from the exposed cosmic radiation during the flight by domestic and international literature reviews, as follows. Airliners should develop the program to measure the actual radiation dose and prepare the portable devices for radiation measurement in flight to lower the accumulated dose of cosmic radiation by the attendants. Regulation should be prepared to check the exposed dose during the flight for the passengers by announcement of individual exposed radiation dose which has been provided only to the flight attendants. Passengers and flight attendants should recognize they are exposed to excessive cosmic radiation during the flight and civilians should be protected by the cosmic radiation when they use the flights, which should be prepared by the regulations.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.15-19
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• 2023

Background: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a specialized medical equipment and plays a significant role in the diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial diseases and abnormalities; however, it is attributed to risk of exposure of ionizing radiation. The aim of the study was to estimate and determine the amount of scattered radiation dose to the thyroid gland in dental CBCT during maxilla and mandible scan. Materials and Methods: The average scattered radiation dose for i-CAT 17-19 Platinum CBCT (Imaging Sciences International) was measured using a Multi-O-Meter (Unfors Instruments), placed at the patient's neck on the skin surface of the thyroid cartilage, with an exposure parameter of 120 kVp and 37.07 mAs. The surface entrance dose was noted using the Multi-O-Meter, which was placed at the time of the scan at the level of the thyroid gland on the anterior surface of the neck. Results and Discussion: The surface entrance dose to the thyroid from both jaws scans was 191.491±78.486 µGy for 0.25 mm voxel and 26.9 seconds, and 153.670±74.041 µGy from the mandible scan, whereas from the maxilla scan the surface entrance dose was 5.259±10.691 µGy. Conclusion: The surface entrance doses to the thyroid gland from imaging of both the jaws, and also from imaging of the maxilla and mandible alone were within the threshold limit. The surface entrance dose and effective dose in CBCT were dependent on the exposure parameters (kVp and mAs), scan length, and field of view. To further reduce the radiation dose, care should be taken in selecting an appropriate protocol as well as the provision of providing shielding to the thyroid gland.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.421-428
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• 2022

Background: The exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation is a significant risk factor generally underestimated by outdoor workers and employers. Several studies have pointed out that occupational solar exposure increased eye and skin diseases with a considerable impact on the lives and productivity of affected workers. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness against ultraviolet radiation of some measures recently undertaken for the protection of lifeguards in a coastal area of Tuscany. Methods: Different shading structures (gazebos and beach umbrella) were tested during a sunny summer's day on a sandy beach by means of two radiometers; the UV protection offered by some T-shirts used by lifeguards was also tested in the laboratory with a spectrophotometer. Results: The analysed shading structures strongly reduced the ultraviolet radiation by up to 90%, however a not always negligible diffuse radiation is also present in the shade, requiring further protective measures (T-shirt, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.); the tested T-shirts showed a very good-excellent protection according to the Australian/New Zealand standard. Conclusion: Results obtained in this study suggest how the adoption and dissemination of good practices, including those tested, could be particularly effective as a primary prevention for lifeguards who are subjected to very high levels of radiation for long periods.

• 핵의학기술
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.65-76
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• 2010

1994년 PET의 국내 도입 이후, 현재까지 양적으로나 질적으로 많은 발전이 있었다. 하지만 이와 함께 방사성의약품의 사용량 또한 급증하면서 검사에 있어서 가장 중요한 역할을 하는 방사선사의 개인피폭선량이 높아지는 요인으로 작용했던 것이 사실이다. 식품의약품안전청의 피폭선량관리센터에서 발표한 자료에 따르면 2008년도 방사선작업종사자의 전체 평균 피폭선량은 0.67 mSv였고, 방사선사 전체 피폭선량은 1.33 mSv로 해마다 감소하는 것으로 나타났다. 설문결과를 살펴보면 PET 검사 담당자의 평균피폭선량은 1.69 mSv였고, 1.0 mSv를 초과하는 구간에 75.3%의 방사선사가 포함되어 있었다. 이는 고 노출구간에 속한 방사선사의 비율이 높다는 것을 의미하므로, 피폭저감을 위한 노력이 요구된다. 본 연구에서는 설문조사를 통하여 PET 검사 프러시저별 차폐기구의 활용에 따른 방사선 피폭 정도를 TLD 수치를 이용하여 분석하고, 실험을 통하여 각 차폐기구의 차폐율을 측정함으로써, 그 효용성을 입증하고 적합한 차폐방법을 강구하고자 하였다. 방사선 피폭의 위험에 대해서 어느 누구보다 잘 인지하고 있는 방사선사임에도 불구하고 안이하게 생각하는 경향이 있었다. 설문결과를 살펴보면 방사선 피폭의 위험성에 대한 인식도와 피폭선량과는 크게 관련이 없었으며, 차폐기구의 활용도에 따라서는 피폭선량의 차이가 확연하게 나타났다. 프러시저 중 피폭선량에 가장 많은 영향을 미치는 단계는 방사성의약품의 투여였으며, 투여시 차폐방법에 따라 이동시 차폐방법도 달라졌다. 투여 시 차폐기구 사용현황을 보면 Both shield는 58.5%, L-Block은 20%, Syringe shield는 9%, No shield는 12.3%를 차지하였다. TLD 수치에 따른 투여 시 차폐방법은 수치가 낮을수록 Both shield와 L-block을 많이 사용하였으며, 수치가 높을수록 Syringe shield와 차폐를 시행하지 않는 경우가 많았다. 실험결과, 가장 이상적인 차폐방법은 분배 시엔 L-block을 사용하고, 이동시엔 Syringe shield carrier를 사용하며, 투여 시엔 L-block과 Syringe shield를 함께 사용하는 것이다. 환자 포지셔닝 시 Apron의 차폐율은 평균 16.4%로 차폐효과가 있다. PET 검사를 시행함에 있어서 강한 실천의지를 가지고 프러시저별로 차폐기구를 적극 활용한다면 점증하는 방사선사의 피폭 수준을 크게 감소시킬 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권6호
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• pp.2459-2465
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• 2012

Background: Numbers of epidemiological studies assessing residential radon exposure and risk of lung cancer have yielded inconsistent results. Methods: We therefore performed a meta-analysis of relevant published case-control studies searched in the PubMed database through July 2011 to examine the association. The combined odds ratio (OR) were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models. Subgroup and dose-response analyses were also performed. Results: We identified 22 case-control studies of residential radon and lung cancer risk involving 13,380 cases and 21,102 controls. The combined OR of lung cancer for the highest with the lowest exposure was 1.29 (95% CI 1.10-1.51). Dose-response analysis showed that every 100 Bq/$m^3$ increment in residential radon exposure was associated with a significant 7% increase in lung cancer risk. Subgroup analysis displayed a more pronounced association in the studies conducted in Europe. Studies restricted to female or non-smokers demonstrated weakened associations between exposure and lung cancer. Conclusions: This meta-analysis provides new evidence supporting the conclusion that residential exposure to radon can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer in a dose-response manner.

• 대한핵의학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.8-13
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• 1992

Low doses of ionizing radiation from external or internal sources cause heterogeneous distribution of energy deposition events in the exposed biological system. With the cell being the individual element of the tissue system, the fraction of cells hit, the dose received by the hit, and the biological response of the cell to the dose received eventually determine the effect in tissue. The hit cell may experience detriment, such as change in its DNA leading to a malignant transformation, or it may derive benefit in terms of an adaptive response such as a temporary improvement of DNA repair or temporary prevention of effects from intracellular radicals through enhanced radical detoxification. These responses are protective also to toxic substances that are generated during normal metabolism. Within a multicellular system, the probability of detriment must be weighed against the probability of benefit through adaptive responses with protection against various toxic agents including those produced by normal metabolism. Because irradiation can principally induce both, detriment and adaptive responses, one type of affected cells may not be simply summed up at the expense of cells with other types of effects, in assessing risk to tissue. An inventory of various types of effects in the blood forming system of mammals, even with large ranges of uncertainty, uncovers the possibility of benefit to the system from exposure to low doses of low LET radiation. This experimental approach may complement epidemiological data on individuals exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation and may lead to a more rational appraisal of risk.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권10호
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• pp.4251-4256
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• 2015

Background: Exposure to cigarette may affect human health and increase risk of a wide range of diseases including pulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung fibrosis and lung cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis induced by cigarettes still remain obscure even with extensive studies. With systemic view, we attempted to identify the specific gene modules that might relate to injury caused by cigarette smoke and identify hub genes for potential therapeutic targets or biomarkers from specific gene modules. Materials and Methods: The dataset GSE18344 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and divided into mouse cigarette smoke exposure and control groups. Subsequently, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to construct a gene co-expression network for each group and detected specific gene modules of cigarette smoke exposure by comparison. Results: A total of ten specific gene modules were identified only in the cigarette smoke exposure group but not in the control group. Seven hub genes were identified as well, including Fip1l1, Anp32a, Acsl4, Evl, Sdc1, Arap3 and Cd52. Conclusions: Specific gene modules may provide better understanding of molecular mechanisms, and hub genes are potential candidates of therapeutic targets that may possible improve development of novel treatment approaches.