• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.31 no.4 s.85
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• pp.254-259
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• 2005

Permethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, has been widely used to protect domestic animals and the public health, as well as in agriculture against a variety of pests, which provides potential for environmental exposure. Permethrin is classified as possible human carcinogen and endocrine disrupting chemical by many international authorities. However, its developmental effects have been rarely studied. This study investigated the effects of permethrin during embryo-genesis. Developmental toxicity of permethrin was evaluated using short-term in vitro battery system. Gestation day 9.5 rat embryos (organogenesis) were cultured with permethrin (0.1,0.4 and 0.8 mg/ml) for 48 hours using whole embryo culture system. All the treatments exhibited significant decreases in the total morphological score. Permethrin induced significant growth retardation and the developmental abnormality at doses of 0.4 and 0.8 mg/ml. Moreover, the DNA and protein contents of embryos decreased in dose-dependent manner. These observations suggest that permethrin contributes to toxicity on embryonic developments in rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.63-67
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• 2009

Background and Objectives: In patients with asthma, increased obstruction and resistance of airway result in impairment in the generation of voice. Allergy and nasal polyposis, which are frequently observed in patients with asthma, are other factors that affect the vocal performance. Bronchodilators and steroids are commonly used in the treatment of asthma, and these agents also have been reported to be associated with voice changes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the voice quality in patients with mild to-moderate asthma by subjective and objective methods. Materials and Methods: A total of 36 patients with asthma established in the Department of Respiratory Medicine were included in this study. 23 were women and 13 were men, with a mean age of 51.7 years. The average duration of asthma was 77.0 months. All patients had mild-to moderate asthma. Acoustic and aerodynamic analyses were performed and the movements of the vocal cords were examined by videolaryngostroboscopy (VLS). Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and GRABS scales were used for subjective evaluations. Results: 50% of patients suffered from dysphonia and FO was 119.3${\pm}$23.7 Hz in male and 198.2${\pm}$18.4 Hz in female patients. There were no significant differences in average shimmer and NHR between females (4.90${\pm}$2.95% ; 0.1O${\pm}$0.04 dB) and males (4.64${\pm}$2.45% ; 0.20${\pm}$0.15 dB). However, the value of jitter was greater for females (2.60${\pm}$1.92%) than for males (1.21${\pm}$0.84%). The VHI score was above the normal limit in 35%, and VLS findings were shown diverse abnormality in 89% asthmatics from mucosal change to hyperfunction of supragottis and contact granuloma. But duration of illness and steroid dose did not correlate with these findings. Conclusion: Subjective and objective abnormality was shown in more than 50% of asthmatic patients. We suggest that persons who suffer from asthma should be examined for possible voice disorders by laryngologist. Additionally, appropriate medical care and voice therapy should be provided for those who have voice disorders associated with asthma.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.547-555
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• 2014

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the association between subjective distress symptoms and argon welding among workers in Gyeongnam Province shipyard. Method: 31 argon and 29 non-argon welding workers were selected as study subjects in order to measure concentrations of personal dust, welding fumes and other hazardous materials such as ZnO, Pb, Cr, FeO, MnO, Cu, Ni, $TiO_2$, MgO, NO, $NO_2$, $O_3$, $O_2$, $CO_2$, CO and Ar. An interviewer-administered questionnaire survey was also performed on the same subjects. The items queried were as follows: age, height, weight, working duration, welding time, welding rod amounts used, drinking, smoking, and rate of subjective distress symptoms including headache and other symptoms such as fever, vomiting and nausea, metal fume fever, dizziness, tingling sensations, difficulty in breathing, memory loss, sleep disorders, emotional disturbance, hearing loss, hand tremors, visual impairment, neural abnormality, allergic reaction, runny nose and stuffiness, rhinitis, and suffocation. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, version 18. Data are expressed as the mean ${\pm}SD$. An ${\chi}^2$-test and a normality test using a Shapiro wilk test were performed for the above variables. Logistic regression analysis was also conducted to identify the factors that affect the total score for subjective distress symptoms. Result: An association was shown between welding type (argon or non-argon welding) and the total score for subjective distress symptoms. Among the rate of complaining of subjective distress symptoms, vomiting and nausea, difficulty breathing, and allergic reactions were all significantly higher in the argon welding group. Only the concentration of dust and welding fumes was shown to be distributed normally after natural log transformation. According to logistic regression analysis, the correlations of working duration and welding type (argon or non-argon) between the total score of subjective distress symptoms were found to be statistically significant (p=0.041, p=0.049, respectively). Conclusion: Our results suggest that argon welding could cause subjective distress symptoms in shipyard workers.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2008

Purpose: Acute organophosphate (OP) poisoning may be monitored by measuring the acetylcholinesterase (AChE). It is important to assess severity and establish prognostic tests in the early stage of OP poisoning. The aim of this study was to look at the relationship between various clinical aspects of the OP poisoning, prognostic indicators of OP poisoning including Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) 3, and the associated changes in AChE levels. Methods: Clinical data and initial AChE levels from thirty-seven patients with OP poisoning were prospectively reviewed from 12 teaching hospitals in South Korea from August 2005 to July 2006. Clinical manifestations at the time of arrival such as miosis, respiratory abnormality, salivation, urinary incontinence, GCS score, AVPU scale, need for intubation, and mechanical ventilation requirements were recorded. SAPS 3 was calculated using clinical data and laboratory results. Results: The median level of AChE was 9.8 (1.3-53.6) U/gHb. There was no significant difference in AChE levels between the groups with and without cholinergic symptoms. The median level of AChE of the patients who required intubation and those who did not were 3.5 U/gHb and it 19.7 U/gHb respectively (Mann-Whitney test; p<0.001). The AChE levels were also significantly different (p=0.007) in patients who needed mechanical ventilation compared to those who did not with AChE levels found to be 3.1 U/gHb and it was 14.8 U/gHb, respectively. Level of consciousness assessed using the AVPU scale was correlated with AChE levels (Kruskal-Wallis test; p=0.013). GCS score were correlated with AChE levels (p=0.007, Spearman's rho = 0.454). In addition, the lower the level of initial AChE, the longer the ICU stay (p=0.029, Spearman's rho=-0.380). SAPS 3 was inversely correlated with the initial AChE (p<0.001, Spearman's rho=-0.633). Conclusion: In the acute OP poisoning, low AChE levels appear to help indicate the severity of poisoning. The initial AChE level may be a useful prognostic parameter for acute OP poisoning.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.255-262
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• 2003

Objectives : We carried out tests for neurobehavior by using WHO-NCTB (neurobehavioral core test battery) and Perdue pegboard score test to identify differences between lacunar infarction cases and controls. Methods : Among the subjects who underwent MRI between February 2001 and March 2002 in a university hospital located in Seoul and who were diagnosed only as lacunar infarction without any intracranial disease, 46 patients were selected as cases (male: 21, female: 25). Controls were selected who had no cerebrovascular disease on MRI by matching age (5 years), gender, and education (2 years) in a ratio of 1:1 , Among WHO-NCTB, the following 5 tests and Perdue pegboard score test were used to categorize the study subjects: digit and symbol matching, simple reaction time, Benton visual retention, digit span, and Pursuit aiming test, Results : Among the above 6 tests of neurobehavior, lacunar infarction cases showed lower score than controls except for the simple reaction time test. As the controlling variables of multivariate analysis in the stepwise regression analysis, the followings were selected due to their significant association: age, education, BMI, gender, drinking, exercise, add systolic blood pressure. From multivariate regression analysis, there was significant difference (p<0.05) between lacunar infarction cases and controls in digit and symbol matching, Benton visual retention, digit span, pursuit aiming, and Perdue pegboard score test, but not in the score of simple reaction time test. Conclusions : We suggest that the above 5 tests for neurobehavior, with the exception of the simple reaction time test, might be used as the basis for recommendation of further treatment and other neurological tests by the earlier defection for neurological abnormality in lacunar infarction.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.77-83
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• 2009

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of ultrasonography of knee osteoarthritis. Methods : 124 osteoarthritis patients classified by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) clinical criteria were included in the study. Simple X-ray and ultrasonography examination (effusion, osteophyte, articular cartilage, Backer's cyst) of knee in pain were performed. Also VAS, KWOMAC score were checked. Results : X-ray showed abnormal findings in 112 patients, but ultrasonography showed abnormal findings in all 124 patients. 12 Patients with unremarkable knee X-ray showed effusion and osteophyte in the ultrasonography. Effusion was discovered only in 18 cases of X-ray and 62 cases of ultrasonography. Group with effusion showed higher VAS mean figure but couldn't retrieve significant difference. KWOMAC showed no significant difference. Conclusions : Osteoarthritis patients with no abnormality in X-ray diagnosed abnormal findings through sonograph, which manifest that sonograph can be utilized for differential diagnosis especially sensitive on the problem of effusion.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.143-153
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• 2005

What we want to report is the oriental medical treatment of eleven patients with lumbago. The patients had several features in common. First, the source of the lumbago was related to overdrinking or overeating, which is something like food damage(食傷) in oriental medicine. Second, they had symptoms of digestive trouble as well as lower back pain. Third, the R.O.M of lumbar spine was limited but there was no another special abnormality in physical examination. Fourth, singly they had muscular tenderness of Iliopsoas muscle and symptoms by Myofascial pain of Iliopsoas muscle was appeared. We assumed this sort of lumbago to be one due to retention of undigested food(食積) or damp-heat(濕熱) in oriental medicine, similar to Myofascial pain syndrome of Iliopsoas muscle in western counterpart. Acupuncture treatment was done to improve the digestive trobles according to oriental medical theory, and we saw the improvement in VAS score of lower back pain, degree of lumbar flexion, Iliopsoas muscle's tenderness and also digestive trobles. But an objective researches on the relation of lumbago due to retention of undigested food(食積) or damp-heat(濕熱) and myofascial pain syndrome of Iliopsoas muscle are quite lacking. However we think such a clinical approach could be useful in practices of oriental medicine increase in curative effect.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.96-104
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• 2004

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the general status and prevalence of cerebral palsy, the complication and the activity of daily living in patients with cerebral palsy in Holt Ilsan Home. Methods: Cross-sectional study was performed on 113 cerebral palsy patients in Holt Ilsan Home with the medical records review, the physical examination, and the Modified Barthel index for the independency of activities of daily living. Results: The mean age of subjects was $28.1{\pm}12.7$ years and the duration of residence was $22.9{\pm}12.8$ years. The most common type of cerebral palsy according to the muscle tone abnormality was spastic type(53.1%). The most frequent condition in which extremities are involved were quadriplegia in 46.0%. The score of Modified Barthel index was significantly lower in mixed type for $16.9{\pm}24.0$ and quadriplegic type for $14.8{\pm}25.5$ compared with others. Conclusion: This study indicates that cerebral palsy patients in rehabilitation facility have severe medical problems such as musculoskeletal complications, visual and language problems, epilepsy and dependency in activities of daily living. Therefore more medical attention like long-term follow-up study and social supports is needed.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.79-87
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• 2010

Purpose: The previous studies on $H_1$ antihistamine overdose have generally been limited to cases of acute doxylamine succinate (DS) poisoning, yet there have been some studies on diphenhydramine (DPH) overdosing. But many clinicians consider the two drugs to be very similar and to have similar ingredients. The purpose of this study was to clarify the toxicologic characteristics and clinical outcomes between DS and DPH poisoning/overdose. Methods: We reviewed the medical and intensive care records of the patients with acute DS or DPH poisoning and who admitted to our emergency department from January 2008 and April 2010. We collected patient information regarding the features of the poisoning and the clinical and demographic characteristics. The patients were assessed for the clinical outcomes, the GCS, the PSS (Poisoning Severity Score) and the SOFA (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment). Results: Fifty seven patients (45 cases of DS poisoning and 12 cases of DPH poisoning) were enrolled. Compared with the DS group, the DPH group had higher incidences of intubation, serious mental change, QTc prolongation and ECG conduction abnormality (p=0.041, <0.001, 0.014 and 0.044, respectively). The DPH group had a higher PSS and a longer ICU stay. The peak CPK time and the CPK normalization time were longer for the patients with rhabdomyolysis due to DS poisoning. Conclusion: Two common $H_1$ antihistamines, doxylamine and diphenhydramine, are in the same ethanolamine-structural class, but the toxico-clinical outcomes are different according to many aspects. Therefore, clinicians could take a careful approach for the differential diagnosis and management between DS and DPH poisoning.

• CELLMED
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.7
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• 2022

Background & Objectives: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the commonest endocrine abnormality in women of reproductive age affecting from 4% - 21% of the reproductive women and is characterized by chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of majoon idraare haiz in menstrual regulation and morphological changes in ovaries in poly cystic ovarian syndrome. Methods: A Pilot study was carried out in the department of Ilmul qabalat wa amraze niswan, National institute of unani medicine, hospital, Bengaluru. Fifteen Patients of PCOS aged 18-35 diagnosed using Rotterdam criteria were included in the study. Patients with insulin sensitizing treatment within 3 months, hormonal treatment and those with h/o diabetes mellitus, hypertension, pregnant and lactating women were excluded.Majoon idraare haiz was administered orally at a dose of 10 g with 20 ml arqbed mushk once daily from fifth day of cycle for 21 days for three consecutive cycles. Primary outcome measure was menstrual regularity while changes in USG pelvis(normal ovarian morphology) was considered as secondary outcome measure. In addition, duration of flow and changes in basal metabolic index (BMI), modified Ferriman Gallwey (mFG) score, acanthosis nigricanswere observed. Data were analyzed using, ANOVA, paired student 't' test, fisher exact test. Results: Changes in duration of cycle, duration and amount of flow was achieved in 93.3% patients with p<0.0001 and 46.6% patients showed normal findings on pelvic ultrasonography with p=0.006. In addition, significant changes were also observed in BMI, hirsutism and acanthosis nigricans with p value of 0.0001, p=0.003 and p=0.009 respectively Conclusion: Majoonidraare haiz can be used as an effective alternative in management of PCOS patients. It has significant effect on menstrual regulation and changes in polycystic ovarian morphology to normal.