• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권10호
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• pp.5625-5629
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• 2013

Occurrence of breast cancer is related to genetic as well as cultural, environmental and life-style factors. Variations in diversity of these factors among different ethnic groups and geographical areas emphasize the immense need for studies in all racial-ethnic populations. The incidence of breast cancer in Pakistan is highest in Asians after Jews in Israel and 2.5 times higher than that in neighboring countries like Iran and India, accounting for 34.6% of female cancers. The Pakistani population is deficient in information regarding breast cancer etiology and epidemiology, but efforts done so far had suggested consanguinity as a major risk factor for frequent mutations leading to breast cancer and has also shed light on genetic origins in different ethnic groups within Pakistan. World-wide research efforts on different ethnicities have enhanced our understanding of genetic predisposition to breast cancer but despite these discoveries, 75% of the familial risk of breast cancer remains unexplained, highlighting the fact that the majority of breast cancer susceptibility genes remain unidentified. For this purpose Pakistani population provides a strong genetic pool to elucidate the genetic etiology of breast cancer because of cousin marriages. In this review, we describe the known breast cancer predisposition factors found in the local Pakistani population and the epidemiological research work done to emphasize the importance of exploring factors/variants contributing to breast cance, in order to prevent, cure and decrease its incidence in our country.

• 정신신체의학
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.81-86
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• 2008

섬망은 자연적으로 발생하는 상태는 아니며 더욱이 내인성 질환은 아니다. 그러나, 섬망은 일부 특정인구 집단에서 발생하는 데, 노인 또는 내과적 상태가 악화된 환자들에서 흔히 발생된다. 이것은 체계적인 섬망역학 연구의 제한점으로 작용한다. 일반 인구 집단에서는 그 발생이 상대적으로 적기 때문에 섬망에 대한 많은 역학 연구들은 노인에 집중되었다. 그리고, 연구에 사용된 섬망 평가도구들의 민감도와 특이도도 매우 다양하다. 노령, 남자, 불량한 인지 및 기능 상태, 그리고 알코올 남용이 잘 알려진 섬망의 위험 인자들이다. 저자는 노인, 치매 환자, 고관적 골절 환자, 중환자실 입원 환자, 말기 암 환자, 그리고 뇌졸중 환자에서의 섬마의 역학에 대하여 다루게 될 것이다.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.78-86
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• 1997

Back muscles play an important role in protecting the spine. Epidemiological studies have shown that loads imposed on the human spine during daily living play a significant role in the onset of low back pain. No previous study has attempted to correlate the response of the trunk musculature with the type of external load. The purpose of this study was to use surface electromyography (EMG) to quantify the relative demands placed on the back muscles while lifting loads in one hand. Forty asymptomatic, twenty year-old subjects stood while lifting loads of 10% of body weight(BW) unilaterally. All EMG data were normalized to a percentage of the EMG voltage produced during no-load standing(%EMG). Our major analysis involved a paired t-test for repeated measures. Of particular note was the fact that the ipsilateral 10% of BW condition produced statistically less % EMG change than did the contralateral 10% of the condition.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.310-320
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify the causes of the retardation of administrative relief under the Special Act on Remedy for Damages Caused by Humidifier Disinfectant and to suggest the systematic refurbishment of this act for the quick and fair of relief of damages. Methods: This study was conducted through the application of the case study, literature review and systematic interpretation of law methods. Results: The disease subject to administrative relief under the Special Act is defined as health damage causally associated to a substantial degree with exposure to humidifier disinfectant. This definition is a strict requirement in light of the legislative purpose of prompt and fair relief of damages. Furthermore, the damage relief committee established under the Special Act judged causal relationships according to a rigorous standard in terms of medical certainty. This medical evidence-based judgment is a result of the committee's failure to understand the normative meaning and function of a causal relationship as an outcome of inference based on empirical rules and common sense. Conclusions: Humidifier disinfectant health damage should be defined as a health-related injury capable of occurring or deteriorating after exposure to humidifier disinfectant (HD). If the fact that a particular injury occurred or worsened after exposure to HD was found, then the damage can be presumed as being caused by HD. However, this might not be the case when the injury was considered to have occurred or been exacerbated entirely due to other factors.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.39-42
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• 2019

While the notified crude incidence rates(per 100,000 persons, CIR) of new tuberculosis between 2016 and 2017 decreased in nationwide and 16 provinces, except Jeju Province, Korea. The aim of this study was to compare CIRs of Jeju Province and nationwide by calendar years and age groups in order to interpret the increasing trend of CIR in Jeju Province. The data source was the Integrated Diseases and Health Control System of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The selection criteria were the notified new cases as tuberculosis, who had the address as Jeju Province at diagnosis, between 2011 and 2018. The 95% confidence interval of CIR was estimated based on Poisson distribution. There was not statistically significant difference of CIRs between Nationwide and Jeju Province of 2011 and 2018, except 2016. Especially the CIR of group aged over 65 years in Jeju Province, 2016 was significantly lower compared to Nationwide CIR. But, the CIR of group aged 30~50 between 2017 and 2018 showed significantly higher compared to Nationwide CIR. Based on the results, the fact of increasing CIR from 2016 to 2017 in Jeju Province might be interpreted as an introduction of new tuberculosis screening project rather than real increased CIRs.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.522-528
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• 2003

본 연구는 식중독 환자로부터 분리한 장염비브리오균 120 균주를 세균학적 특성시험, 항균제 감수성 여부, 독소 유전자와 독소조절유전자의 검출 및 보유 여부를 PCR, RPLA 로 시험하였으며, 각 지역간의 분리 세균을 GS-PCR, PFGE 시험으로 병원체 상관 관계를 분석한 결과 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 장염비브리오균은 0%의 NaCl 농도에서는 성장을 보이지 않았고, 8% NaCl이 첨가된 농도에서는 성장을 보였다. 국내 설사환자의 장염비브리오균의 O, K 혈청형은 17가지로 나타났으며, 이 중 O3:K6형이 68.3%로 가장 많았다. Ampicillin 등 18가지 항균제 시험에서 Ampicillin, Ticacillin에 높은 내성을 보였으며, Ampicillin, Ticacillin, Vancomycin에 동시 내성을 나타낸 경우가 52.5%로 나타났다. 독소조절 유전자 toxR은 PCR시험에서 시험균주 모두 368bp 크기의 유전자를 가지고 있었으며 장염 비브리오균의 조기진단에 유용한 것으로 확인되었고, 독소유전자 tdh는 120균주 중 109 균주만이 199bp 크기의 유전자를 보유하고 11균주가 음성이었다. trh 독소 유전자를 보유한 균주는 시험균주 중 3 균주만이 250bp 크기의 유전자를 보유하고 있었으며, tdh, trh 유전자를 동시에 가지고 있는 균주는 3균주로 이 균주의 TDH 독소 생성능은 x16 정도로 독소 생성능이 미약했다. 독소생성 Kanagawa 시험에서 120균주 중 107균주가 양성반응 을 나타내었으며, Kanagawa 양성반응을 보인 균주은 모두 tdh 유전자를 보유하고 있었다. Group Specific-PCR에서 최근에 유행을 일으키는 O3:K6 혈청형의 유연관계를 찾는데 유용한 것으로 나타났다. 조절유전자 toxRS 염기서열을 분석한 결과 같은 혈청형이라도 3균주는 7개의 염기서열 차이를 나타내었으며, 이는 현재 유행을 일으키는 균주와는 다른 균주임을 확인하였다. PFGE로 보다 더 세분화하여 혈청관계를 분류할 수 있었으며, 식중독 환자 유래 장염비브리오균은 3가지 type으로 나타났으며, 이들 균주 사이에는 상호 밀접한 상관관계를 나타내었다. 따라서 PFGE 기법으로 얻어진 결과는 분자 역학적으로 유용한 도구로 사용될 수 있음을 확인하였다.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제42권6호
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• pp.375-384
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• 2016

Objectives: This paper analyzes the intersection of tort law and environmental health in a recent court decision. Methods: This paper analyzes Supreme Court Decision 2011Da7437, Decided on September 4, 2014 and related lower court decisions. Results: The plaintiffs sought financial compensation from the defendants, arguing that air pollutants in gases emitted by vehicles produced by the defendants had caused them to acquire respiratory diseases. The district court highlighted the need to mitigate the burden of proof for the plaintiffs, but proceeded to review whether the plaintiffs proved the actual toxicity levels of the air pollutants, whether the defendant's vehicles were the main source of the emissions, the plaintiff's level of exposure to the pollutants, and causation between the emissions and the injury. By doing so, the district court required the plaintiffs to prove both indirect and direct facts of causation, increasing burden of proof for plaintiffs. The appellate court upheld the district court's decision, adding that the defendant's conduct did not constitute an illegal act because it did not violate the emissions standards set by environmental law. The Supreme Court upheld the appellate court's decision, reasoning that the epidemiological evidence cannot establish a direct causation for diseases that lack specificity. Conclusion: This case demonstrates that discussions in environmental health have significance in tort lawsuits. For each fact that the plaintiffs and defendants attempted to prove, environmental health research studies were offered as evidence. In addition, the courts decided the legality of the defendant's conduct based on emission standards set by environmental law.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제19권9호
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• pp.1304-1308
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• 2009

To investigate the infection patterns of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) in Korean pig farms, a total of 4,768 swine sera samples from 159 pig farms were taken twice, in June (n=82) and October (n=77) in 2007. In each farm selected for the survey, 10 samples from breeding pigs and 4 from each of the 5 age groups (30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 days) were taken, and all serum samples were tested for PEDV by the serum neutralization test. The overall seroprevalence was 62.6% (2,983/4,768), with the highest prevalence in breeding pigs (93.5%, 1,485/1,589). The prevalence showed an increasing trend with increasing age (30.8, 27.2, 44.7, 61.6, and 71.2% respectively in the 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 days age groups) (p<0.0001 for $x^2$ trend test). The association between age and PEDV prevalence was similar in both surveys, indicating that the infection of PEDV seemed to be occurring repeatedly in the farms surveyed. This inference could also be explained by the fact that prevalence in sows was very high despite low vaccination coverage, as they are continuously exposed to PEDV in potentially infected farms for a longer period. Based on the neutralizing antibody levels in sows and growing pigs, the majority of farms (91.8%, n=146 farms) were endemically infected with PEDV, and most of pigs seemed to be intensively infected with PEDV at around early growth (41.8%) and weaning (31.5%). On the other hand, serum neutralizing antibodies were not detected in pigs older than 30 days of age in farms classified as having no PEDV infection (n=13 farms), indicating the level of maternal antibody against PEDV is decreased on a non-detectable level before the piglet is 60 days old in the field situation. The results indicated that most farms surveyed in 2007 were affected with endemic PEDV infection. Therefore, a national monitoring and control program for the endemic type PEDV infection needs further attention.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.38-44
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• 2003

This study was performed to investigate the levels of fluoride (F), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in water samples taken from five reservoirs or direct sources on a stream used for agricultural or domestic water in the Iksan and Wanjoo areas, Jeon-buk, Korea, and to find a possible link between Ca or Mg and fluoride in water sources in theses areas. The samples were collected by the recommendation methods of the World Health Organization and analyzed by the recommendations of the Japanese Standard Methods. Statistical analyses were performed by the analysis of variance and correlation analysis. The F levels in water samples wire 0.80~2.53 ppm. In four sampling sites the water fluoride levels exceeded 1 ppm. which if the recommended level for fluorosis/caries control. The Ca levels in water samples were 6.82~12.98 ppm, and the Mg levels were 0.30~1.97 ppm, which are lower compared with the natural levels of water sources previously reported by other investigators. This study showed a positive correlation between Ca and Mg (r= 0.8779. p<0.01) and a negative correlation between F and Ca (r=-0.6974, p<0.05) and also between F and Mg (r=-0.5581) in the water samples. However, the study did not find remarkable relationships in fluoride levels between sampling sites. These results support the fact that there were epidemics of dental fluorosis in this area. The lack of significant positive correlations in fluoride levels between sampling sites suggests that there may be some pathways for the transfer of the metal to the water through other environmental media besides the water course. Long-term epidemiological studies are needed on the relationship between high F together with low Ca and Mg levels in the water, and total human health in this community. There should alto be a long-term monitoring of the water quality in this area.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권12호
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• pp.6011-6016
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• 2012

Introduction: Epidemiological studies suggest a protective role for ${\beta}$-carotene with several malignancies. Esophageal adenocarcinoma frequently arises from Barrett's esophagus (BE). We postulated that ${\beta}$-carotene therapy maybe protective in BE. Materials and Method: We conducted a prospective study in which 25 mg of ${\beta}$-carotene was administered daily for six-months to six patients. Each patient underwent upper endoscopy before and after therapy and multiple mucosal biopsies were obtained. Additionally, patients completed a gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms questionnaire before and after therapy and severity score was calculated. To study the effect of ${\beta}$-carotene at molecular level, tissue extracts of the esophageal mucosal biopsy were subjected to assessment of heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70). Results: A significant (p<0.05) reduction in mean GERD symptoms severity score from $7.0{\pm}2.4$ to $2.7{\pm}1.7$ following ${\beta}$-carotene therapy was noted. Measurement of Barrett's segment also revealed a significant reduction in mean length after therapy. In fact, two patients had complete disappearance of intestinal metaplasia. Furthermore, marked enhancement of HSP70 expression was demonstrated in biopsy specimens from Barrett's epithelium in four cases that were tested. Conclusions: Long-term ${\beta}$-carotene therapy realizes amelioration of GERD symptoms along with restitution of the histological and molecular changes in esophageal mucosa of patients with BE, associated with concurrent increase in mucosal HSP70 expression.