• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제56권9호
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• pp.369-376
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• 2013

A complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors partially contributes to the development of allergic diseases by affecting development during prenatal and early life. To explain the dramatic increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases, the hygiene hypothesis proposed that early exposure to infection prevented allergic diseases. The hygiene hypothesis has changed to the microbial hypothesis, in which exposure to microbes is closely linked to the development of the early immune system and allergic diseases. The intestinal flora may contribute to allergic disease through its substantial effect on mucosal immunity. Based on findings that exposure to microbial flora early in life can change the Th1/Th2 balance, thus favoring a Th1 cell response, probiotics may be beneficial in preventing allergic diseases. However, evidence from clinical and basic research to prove the efficacy of probiotics in preventing allergy is lacking. To date, studies have yielded inconsistent findings on the usefulness of probiotics in allergic diseases. It is difficult to demonstrate an exact effect of probiotics on asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergy because of study limitations, such as different first supplementation period, duration, different strains, short follow-up period, and host factors. However, many studies have demonstrated a significant clinical improvement in atopic dermatitis with the use of probiotics. An accurate understanding of the development of human immunity, intestinal barrier function, intestinal microbiota, and systemic immunity is required to comprehend the effects of probiotics on allergic diseases.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.752-763
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• 1997

To evaluate the effect of manganese on the respiratory system, we investigated the respiratory symptoms of 63 male workers exposed to, fume containing manganese (Mn), iron (Fe) and silica (Si), and compared them with those of 66 male workers not exposed to the fume in a manganese alloy smelting factory. The prevalence ratios of the seven respiratory symptoms were not different between two groups. The presence of any respiratory symptom was not related with the age, duration of employment, smoking status of workers, and exposure to fume. In furnace workers, it was not related with the airborne Mn, Fe, and Si concentration in the total or respirable fume. Airborne Mn concentrations of all 4 furnaces in the respirable fume were below $1mg/m^3$. There were two suspicious cases of pneumoconiosis among furnace workers and one definite case(1/2) among casting workers who were not exposed to fume. The above results suggest that the exposure to the low airborne Mn concentration is not related with respiratory symptoms and pneumoconiosis. However, it is necessary to study the respiratory effects of Mn using the symptom questionnaire with consideration of the severity and persistence, of symptoms and the time interval from exposure.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.199-207
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• 2009

Objectives : Research on the gender differences of health among older Korean people has been limited compared with the research for other stages of life. This study first examined the patterns and magnitude of the gender differences of health in later life. Second, we examined the gender differences in the health of older men and women that were attributable to differing socioeconomic conditions. Methods : Using the nationally representative 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the gender differences in disability and subjective poor health were assessed by calculating the age adjusted and gender-specific prevalence. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess if the differences between the men and women for health could be explained by differential exposure to socioeconomic factors and/or the differential vulnerability of men and women to these socioeconomic factors. Results : Our results indicated that older women were more likely than the men to report disability and poor subjective health. The health disadvantage of older women was diminished by differential experiences with socioeconomic factors, and especially education. The differences shrink as much as 43.7% in the case of disability and 35.4% in the case of poor subjective health by the differential exposure to educational attainment. Any differential vulnerability to socioeconomic factors was not found between the men and women, which means that socioeconomic factors may have similar effect on health in both genders. Conclusions : Differential socioeconomic experience and exposure between the men and women might cause gender difference in health in old age Koreans.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.181-194
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• 1991

This study intended to obtain an useful information on the prevalence of subjective symptoms, and to clarify the interrelationships between blood lead and lead related symptoms in low level lead exposure. The 93 male workers exposed to lead and 56 male nonexposed workers were examined for their blood lead(PBB), Zinc-protoporphy(ZPP), hemoglobin(HB) and personnal history, and completed 15 questionnaires related to symptoms of lead absorption : also measured lead concentration in air (PBA) in the workplace. The results obtained were as follows ; 1. The means of blood lead (PBB), blood ZPP and hemoglobin (HB) among workers exposed to lead were $26.1{\pm}8.8{\mu}g/dl,\;28.3{\pm}26.0{\mu}g/dl$ and $16.2{\pm}1.2g/dl$ : whereas those of nonexposed workers were $18.7{\pm}5.1{\mu}g/dl,\;20.6{\pm}8.7{\mu}g/dl$ and $17.3{\pm}1.1g/dl$. The means of above three indicies between two groups showed significant difference statistically (p<0.05). 2. The means of blood lead (PBB), blood ZPP and hemoglobin of workers exposed .to different lead concentration in air were as follows : When it was below $25{\mu}g/m^3$, the indices were $24.7{\pm}79,\;26.1{\pm}26.8{\mu}g/dl\;and\;16.4{\pm}1.1g/dl$ respectively : These indices were $27.1{\pm}8.5,\;23.9{\pm}10.92{\mu}g/dl\;and\;16.2{\pm}1.3g/dl$ when the lead concentration in air was $25{\sim}50{\mu}g/m^3$ : and they were $3.4{\pm}9.3,\;42.3{\pm}31.3{\mu}g/dl\;and\;15.5{\pm}1.2g/dl$ when the concentration of lead was above $50{\mu}g/m^3$. Although there were statistical difference in blood lead and hemoglobin among three different lead concentration in air, there was no statistical difference of blood ZPP among the three groups with different exposure levels (p>0.05). 3. The most frequent by complained symptom was 'Generalized weakness and fatigue', and fewest symptom was 'Intermittent pains in abdomen' 4. Only two symptoms out of fifteen symptoms checked by themselves revealed significant difference between exposed and nonexposed groups. These were 'Intermittent pains of abdomen' and 'Joint pain or arthralgia' (p<0.05), No positive correlation was found between the levels of blood lead and symptom groups categorized as gastrointestinal, neuromuscular and constitutional symptoms, 5. Blood lead (r=0.3995) and ZPP (r=0.2837) showed statistically significant correlation with mean lead concentration in air, whereas correlations were not demonstrated between blood lead and lead related symptoms or blood ZPP and lead related symptoms. 6. Blood lead (PBB) and ZPP showed association (r=0.2466) and the equation PBB=23.75+0.0842 ZPP was derived. 7. On stepwise multiple regression, using blood lead level as a dependent variable and ZPP, hemoglobin (HB), age, work duration (WD) and symptom prevalence as a independent variables, only ZPP significantly contributed a lot to blood lead level. 8. While the ZPP measurement was found to be a good indicator in evaluating health effect of lead absorption in low level lead exposure, lead related symptoms were not sensitive enough to evaluate of lead absorption in low level exposure.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.830-839
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• 1997

직업성 피부 질환을 일으키는 주요 작업 공정의 하나인 도장작업자들의 피부 질환의 실태를 파악하기 위하여 모 조선업체 도장 부서의 남자 근로자 379명을 폭로군으로, 같은 회사 비도장부서에서 근무하고 유기용제를 취급한 경력이 없는 근로자 151명을 대조군으로 선정하여 피부과 전문의의 진료와 설문 조사를 통하여 아래와 같은 결과를 얻었다. 피부과적 진찰 결과 도장부서 근로자들이 이환되어 있는 가장 흔한 피부질환은 족부 백선으로 폭로군의 유병률은 48.0%였으며 대조군에 비하여 이환될 비차비가 3.18로 통계학적으로 유의한 차이를 보였다. 접촉성 피부염과 한포진의 유병률도 각각 11.9%, 11.9%로 대조군보다 유의하게 높았으며 질병에 이환될 비차비가 4.95, 6.64로 통계학적으로 유의한 차이를 보였다. 이외에도 비특이적 습진, 자극성 피부염, 모낭염, 두드러기 등과 같은 피부 질환이 관찰되었으나 대조군과 유의한 차이는 없었다. 접촉 피부염 소견을 보이는 폭로군 중 71.1%가 피부 증상이 휴일이나 휴가시에 호전된다고 응답하였고, 68.9%가 옷이나 보호구에 가려지지 않는 노출부위에 피부 병변이 발생한다고 응답하여 접촉 피부염이 작업과 관계가 있음을 시사하였다. 근로자들의 보호구 착용률은 비교적 양호한 편이었지만 보호구 착용과 피부질환과는 연관성이 없어서 보호구 착용이 피부질환의 예방에 큰 효과가 없는 것으로 나타났다. 대조군과 유의한 차이를 보인 접촉 피부염, 한포진, 족부 백선의 유병률을 수행직무별로 스프레이군, 터치업군, 혼합군, 전처리군으로 구분하여 비교한 결과 유의한 차이를 보이지 않아 피부 질환의 위험도는 수행직무에 따라서는 큰 차이가 없음을 보여주었다. 도장 부서 근무 년수에 따른 비교에서도 근무 년수가 증가함에 따라 유병률이 증가하는 소견을 보이지 않았는데 근무 기간에 길어질수록 피부 저항이 증가되며, 피부반응이 둔해지며, 숙련된 작업으로 접촉물질에 대한 노출이 감소되기 때문이라고 판단된다. 이상과 같이 조선업체 도장부서 근로자들에게서 접촉 피부염, 한포진, 족부 백선 등 작업과 연관된 질병을 발견할 수 있었다. 앞으로 도장 부서 근로자들의 피부 병변을 예방하기 위한 대책 마련이 시급하다고 생각한다.

• 치위생과학회지
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.487-494
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• 2017

본 연구는 국민건강영양조사 제4기와 제5기(2007년~2012년) 자료를 이용하였으며, 구강검진 조사자료가 제공되지 않은 2011년 자료를 제외하고, 20세 이상의 성인 11,643명을 대상으로 연도별 흡연 유형별 치주질환의 추이를 살펴보고, 치주질환에 영향을 주는 인자를 평가하였다. 5개년도를 통합한 자료에서는 비흡연자에 비해 직접흡연자는 단순, 다중 로지스틱 회귀분석 모두에서 치주질환이 있을 aOR이 1.78, 1.77이었으며(p<0.001), 연도별 경향성을 보았을 때, 여자에 비해 남자가 치주질환이 있을 aOR은 1.12로 나타났다(p<0.001). 연도별 흡연 유형에 따라 치주질환 유병률은 치주질환이 있는 집단에서 직접흡연자의 비율이 현저하게 증가추세를 보였다. 또한 주요인자를 보정한 연도별 흡연 유형과 치주질환의 관련성을 단변량 분석한 결과, 비흡연자에 비해 직접흡연자의 치주질환이 있을 aOR은 2007년도에 1.99로 가장 높게 나타났다. 반면에 간접흡연자가 비흡연자에 비해 치주질환이 있을 확률은 통계적으로 유의하지 않았다. 인구사회학적 변수와 임상적 변수를 보정한 다변량 로지스틱 분석결과, 2007년도를 제외하고는 치주질환 발생에 있어 직접흡연자의 위험비는 통계적으로 모두 유의하였다. 반면 치주질환 발생에 있어 간접흡연의 영향력은 2010년도에서만 1.68의 aOR로 통계적 유의성을 보였다(p=0.032). 결론적으로 본 연구를 통해 연도에 따라 간접흡연의 노출이 증가되고 있음을 간접적으로 예측할 수 있었고, 직접흡연자에 비해 통계적 영향력의 크기는 뚜렷하지 않지만 치주질환에 있어 위험인자로서 독립적으로 고려되어야 함을 확인할 수 있었다. 중대구강병인 치주질환의 다양한 위험요인을 규명하고, 이를 예방하기 위한 측면에서 간접흡연과 치주질환의 명확한 기전과 영향력 크기를 밝히기 위한 근거자료 마련이 지속화되어야 할 것이다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권17호
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• pp.7567-7573
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• 2015

Background: Catastrophic effects of mustard gas as a chemical warfare agent have always been a major problem for those exposed to this agent. In this meta-analysis it was tried to evaluate carcinogenesis, ocular, cutaneous and respiratory complications of mustard gas exposure among Iranians who had been exposed to this agent during the Iran-Iraq war. Materials and Methods: In this meta-analysis, the required data were collected using keywords "mustard gas", "sulfur mustard", "cancer", "neoplasm", "respiratory complications", "ocular complications", "lung disease", "chronic complication", "eye", "skin", "cutaneous complication", "carcinogenesis" and their combination with keywords "Iran", "Iranian", "prevalence", "mortality" and their Farsi equivalent terms from the databases of SID, Iranmedex, Magiran, Pubmed, Science Direct, Google Search engine, Gray Literature and Reference of References. To determine the prevalence of each complication and perform meta-analysis, CMA: 2 (Comprehensive Meta-Analysis) software with a randomized model was used. Results: Of the 542 articles found, 7 national articles, consistent with the aims of this study were selected. Meta-analysis of seven papers revealed that cancer risk, especially cancer of the respiratory system was elevated, so that the relative risk (RR) of cancer role of mustard gas was inconsistent from 2/1 to 4 in this survey. Also prevalence of delayed skin disorders due to sulfur mustard was 94.6%, pulmonary complications 94.5% and ocular complications 89.9%. The incidence of various cancers in victims exposed to mustard gas was 1.7% worldwide where the rate was 2.2% in Iranian victims of the Iraq-Iran war. Conclusions: Based on present study the prevalence of delayed mustard gas related cutaneous, pulmonary and ocular complications is above 90% and risk of carcinogenesis is higher in comparison to worldwide statistics. This may suggest need for long-term and persistent follow-up and rehabilitation procedures for populations exposed to this agent.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.228-239
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• 2015

본 연구는 2013~2014년도 한양대학교 농업안전보건센터 현장검진에 참여한 경기 일부 지역 농업인을 대상으로 급성 농약중독 증상 유병률과 이와 관련된 위험요인을 규명하고자 하였다. 연구 결과, 급성 농약중독은 농업종사기간, 농약 살포 년수, 연간 농약 살포일수, 평생 농약 살포일수가 길수록, 혼합 농약 사용 개수가 많을수록, 노지 재배를 하는 경우 위험도가 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 향후, 급성 농약중독에 대한 취약 집단을 좀 더 체계적으로 관리 및 교육할 수 있는 방안의 마련이 필요할 것이다.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제4권3호
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• pp.142-148
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• 2013

Background: To elucidate the relationship between seven occupational dermatoses (ODs) and 20 types of work in Greece. Methods: This was a prevalence epidemiologic study of certain ODs among 4,000 workers employed in 20 types of enterprise, in 104 companies, in 2006-2012, using data from company medical records, questionnaires, occupational medical, and special examinations. The ${\chi}^2$ test was applied to reveal statistically significant relationships between types of enterprises and occurrence of ODs. Results: A high percentage (39.9%) of employees included in the study population suffered from ODs. The highest prevalence rates were noted among hairdressers (of contact dermatitis: 30%), cooks (of contact dermatitis: 29.5%), bitumen workers (of acne: 23.5%), car industry workers (of mechanical injury: 15%), construction workers (of contact urticaria: 29.5%), industrial cleaning workers (of chemical burns: 13%), and farmers (of malignant tumors: 5.5%).We observed several statistical significant correlations between ODs (acute and chronic contact dermatitis, urticaria, mechanical injury, acne, burns, skin cancer) and certain types of enterprises. There was no statistically significant correlation between gender and prevalence of ODs, except for dermatoses caused by mechanical injuries afflicting mainly men [${\chi}^2(1)=13.40$, p < 0.001] and for chronic contact dermatitis [${\chi}^2(1)=5.53$, p=0.019] afflicting mainly women. Conclusion: Prevalence of ODs is high in Greece, contrary to all official reports by the Greek National Institute of Health. There is a need to introduce a nationwide voluntary surveillance system for reporting ODs and to enhance skin protection measures at work.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제54권5호
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• pp.645-652
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• 2016

Toxocara vitulorum has been rarely reported in yaks at high altitudes and remote areas of Sichuan Province of Tibetan Plateau of China. The current study was designed to investigate the prevalence, associated risk factors, and phylogenetic characteristics of T. vitulorum in yak calves on the Qinghai Tibetan plateau. Fecal samples were collected from 891 yak calves and were examined for the presence of T. vitulorum eggs by the McMaster technique. A multivariable logistic regression model was employed to explore variables potentially associated with exposure to T. vitulorum infection. T. vitulorum specimens were collected from the feces of yaks in Hongyuan of Sichuan Province, China. DNA was extracted from ascaris. After PCR amplification, the sequencing of ND1 gene was carried out and phylogenetic analyses was performed by MEGA 6.0 software. The results showed that 64 (20.1%; 95% CI 15.8-24.9%), 75 (17.2; 13.8-21.1), 29 (40.9; 29.3-53.2), and 5 (7.6; 2.5-16.8) yak calves were detected out to excrete T. vitulorum eggs in yak calve feces in Qinghai, Tibet, Sichuan, and Gansu, respectively. The present study revealed that high infection and mortality by T. vitulorum is wildly spread on the Qinghai Tibetan plateau, China by fecal examination. Geographical origin, ages, and fecal consistencies are the risk factors associated with T. vitulorum prevalence by logistic regression analysis. Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of ND1 gene of T. vitulorum indicated that T. vitulorum in the yak calves on the Qinghai Tibetan plateau are homologous to preveiously studies reported.