• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2013

Objectives: We investigated the association between particulate matter less than $10{\mu}m$ in aerodynamic diameter ($PM_{10}$) exposure and non-accidental mortality in Asian populations by meta-analysis, using both time-series and case-crossover analysis. Methods: Among the 819 published studies searched from PubMed and EMBASE using key words related to $PM_{10}$ exposure and non-accidental mortality in Asian countries, 8 time-series and 4 case-crossover studies were selected for meta-analysis after exclusion by selection criteria. We obtained the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of non-accidental mortality per $10{\mu}g/m^3$ increase of daily $PM_{10}$ from each study. We used Q statistics to test the heterogeneity of the results among the different studies and evaluated for publication bias using Begg funnel plot and Egger test. Results: Testing for heterogeneity showed significance (p<0.001); thus, we applied a random-effects model. RR (95% CI) per $10{\mu}g/m^3$ increase of daily $PM_{10}$ for both the time-series and case-crossover studies combined, time-series studies relative risk only, and case-crossover studies only, were 1.0047 (1.0033 to 1.0062), 1.0057 (1.0029 to 1.0086), and 1.0027 (1.0010 to 1.0043), respectively. The non-significant Egger test suggested that this analysis was not likely to have a publication bias. Conclusions: We found a significant positive association between $PM_{10}$ exposure and non-accidental mortality among Asian populations. Continued investigations are encouraged to contribute to the health impact assessment and public health management of air pollution in Asian countries.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.185-196
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• 2024

Objectives: Excess mortality associated with long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) has been documented. However, research on the disease burden following short-term exposure is scarce. We investigated the cause-specific mortality burden of short-term exposure to PM_2.5 by considering the potential non-linear concentration-response relationship in Korea. Methods: Daily cause-specific mortality rates and PM_2.5 exposure levels from 2010 to 2019 were collected for 8 Korean cities and 9 provinces. A generalized additive mixed model was employed to estimate the non-linear relationship between PM_2.5 exposure and cause-specific mortality levels. We assumed no detrimental health effects of PM_2.5 concentrations below 15 ㎍/m³. Overall deaths attributable to short-term PM_2.5 exposure were estimated by summing the daily numbers of excess deaths associated with ambient PM_2.5 exposure. Results: Of the 2 749 704 recorded deaths, 2 453 686 (89.2%) were non-accidental, 591 267 (21.5%) were cardiovascular, and 141 066 (5.1%) were respiratory in nature. A non-linear relationship was observed between all-cause mortality and exposure to PM_2.5 at lag0, whereas linear associations were evident for cause-specific mortalities. Overall, 10 814 all-cause, 7855 non-accidental, 1642 cardiovascular, and 708 respiratory deaths were attributed to short-term exposure to PM_2.5. The estimated number of all-cause excess deaths due to short-term PM_2.5 exposure in 2019 was 1039 (95% confidence interval, 604 to 1472). Conclusions: Our findings indicate an association between short-term PM_2.5 exposure and various mortality rates (all-cause, non-accidental, cardiovascular, and respiratory) in Korea over the period from 2010 to 2019. Consequently, action plans should be developed to reduce deaths attributable to short-term exposure to PM_2.5.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.1067-1072
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• 2003

Purpose : Non-accidental intracranial hemorrhage in children is not low in incidence and results in high mortality and serious sequelae. So, the authors have researched the distribution of sex and age, causes, symptoms and signs, hemorrhagic types, mortality rate and sequelae of the patients hospitalized with non-accidental intracranial hemorrhage at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital. Methods : The medical records of twenty patients, aged 15 or younger, and excluding neonatal patients, were analyzed retrospectively. The patients in this study were admitted with non-accidental intracranial hemorrhage from January 1999 to June 2002. Results : Of the twenty cases, the ratio of male to female was 1 : 0.8. The patients aged one or less and between 11 and 15 were discovered to be the most frequent cases. Shaken baby syndrome and arteriovenous malformation were found to be the most frequent causes. Seizure was most frequently found to be a symptom and a sign. Hemorrhagic type was classified into subdural hemorrhage eight, intracerebral hemorrhage five. There were three mortal cases. Twelve surviving patients, excluding five not-followed ones, were reclassified into six cases of complete recovery and six of sequalae. Conclusion : Non-accidental intracranial hemorrhage in children is not low in incidence, with a high mortality rate and a high incidence of serious sequelae after survival. Consequently, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are required. In addition, appropriate rehabilitation after treatment is needed because the high survival rate due to advanced medical treatment results in an increasing number of neurologic sequelae.

• The Journal of the Korean life insurance medical association
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.116-121
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• 1985

We've reviewed 518 cases of claims by death that had occured for one year from April, 1983 to March, 1984. As a result, we came to following conclusions; First, the greater part of the death were due to Accidental death(19.1%), Heart disease(18.9%), Malignant neoplasm(17.4%), Liver cirrhosis(10.6%), and the Cerebrovascular disease(9.7%), which were occupied by 75.7% of the whole. Second, classifying them by medical examinations or non medical, death in case of non medical examination showed 89% of the whole. And for age, section ranging from 41 to 50, from 51 to 60 and from 31 to 40 took the overwhelming portion by 27.4%, 26.6%, and 17.4% respectively, those of which showed 71.4% of the whole. Third, for the period elapsed, death within 1 year from the entrance showed 31% and that from 1 year to under 2 years 20.5%. Thus the rate of early death under 2 years stood for 51.5% of the whole.

• The Journal of the Korean life insurance medical association
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.86-92
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• 1987

We've reviewed 704 cases of claims by death that had occured for one year from April, 1985 to March, 1986. As a result, we came to following conclusions; First, the greater part of the death were due to Accidental death(25.0%), Malignant neoplasm(21.2%), Heart disease(12.9%), Liver cirrhosis(9.1%), and the cerebrovascular disease(5.5%), which were occupied by 73.7% of the whole. Second, classifying them by medical examinations or non medical, death in case of non medical examinations showed 94.3% of whole. And for age, section ranging from 40 to 49, from 50 to 59, and from 60 to 69 took the overwhelming portion by 28.6%, 24.2%, and 16.6% respectively, those of wich showed 69.4% of the whole. Third, for the period elapsed, death within 1 year from the entrance showed 16.9% and that from 1 year to under 2 years 18.8%, Thus the rate of early death under 2 years stood for 35.7% of the whole.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.411-429
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• 2015

The Korea Ministry of Environment has established an air quality standard for $PM_{2.5}$ in 2012 and it is effective from January 2015. In this study, we review various aspects of $PM_{2.5}$ in China, including its measurement, modeling, source apportionment, and health effect, and suggest future research directions for $PM_{2.5}$ studies in Korea. Measurements studies for $PM_{2.5}$ have examined organic marker compounds and $^{14}C$ as well as inorganic aerosols for distinguishing sources. Modeling results supported that the control of $PM_{2.5}$ pollution in big city needs effective cooperation between city and its surrounding regions. The major $PM_{2.5}$ sources in China have been identified to be secondary sulfur, motor vehicle emissions, coal combustion, dust, biomass burning, and industrial sources, however, they have seasonal dependency. Especially, the severe haze pollution event during January 2013 over eastern and northern China was driven to a large extent by secondary aerosol formation. Short-term exposure to $PM_{2.5}$ is strongly associated with the increased risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as total non-accidental mortality. Considered previous $PM_{2.5}$ studies in China, analysis of specific organic species using online measurement, chamber experiment for secondary aerosol formation mechanism, and development of parameterizing this process in the model are needed to elucidate factors governing the abundance and composition of $PM_{2.5}$ in Korea.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.117-126
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• 2006

This study was conducted to obtain the acute information of the oral dose toxicity of lyophilized water extract of Picrorrhiza Rhizoma (PR) - dried underground stem of Picrorrhiza kurroa, having various pharmacological effects, in male and female mice. In order to calculate 50% lethal dose ($LD_{50}$), approximate lethal dose and target organs, test article was administered once by oral gavage to male and female ICR mice at 2000, 1000, 500 and 250 mg/kg. The mortality and changes on body weight, clinical signs and gross observation were monitored during 14 days after dosing with organ weight and histopathology of 12 types of principle organs. As the results, we could not find any mortality, clinical signs, changes in the body weight and gross findings except for hair loss, a significantly (p<0.05) increase of body weight gains in 2000mg/kg of PR extracts-dosing male group and some sporadic gross findings. In addition, no meaningful changes on the organ weight and histopathology of 12 types of principle organs were detected in the present study except for significantly (p<0.05) but dose independent changes on thymus, spleen and popliteal lymph nodes weights, and some sporadic accidental histopathological findings. The results obtained in this study suggest that the PR extract is non-toxic in mice and is therefore likely to be safe for clinical use. The $LD_{50}$ and approximate lethal dose of PR extracts in both female and male mice were considered as over 2000 mg/kg.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 2022

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the skin irritation toxicity of processed sulfur. Methods: All experiments were conducted at Medvill (Korea), an institution authorized to perform non-clinical studies, under the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations. In order to investigate skin irritation toxicity of processed sulfur, we divided the back of six rabbits into two control sites and two test sites. One of each of the two control and test sites was then designated abraded sites and intact sites. In test sites, 0.5 g of processed sulfur was applied to the back of the rabbit for 24 hours, and in control sites, 0.5 g of sterile distilled water was applied in the same way. We observed and evaluated mortality, weight, general symptoms, and skin irritation toxicity. This study was conducted with the approval of the Animal Ethics Committee (Approval number: IAC2020-1549). Results: In all experiments, no dead animals were observed. In all cases, skin coloration was observed at 24 hours after processed sulfur administration. This coloration lasted up to 48 hours and is believed to be the effect of the administration of test substances. Weight measurement indicated that weight was lost 72 hours after administration in three cases, but this is considered an accidental weight change. Normal weight gain was observed in the remaining subjects. In all animals, no skin irritation toxicity was observed, and the primary irritation index (P.I.I) was calculated as 0.0 according to Draize's evaluation method. Conclusion: The above findings suggest that it is relatively safe to apply a processed sulfur to the skin. Further research on this topic is needed to provide more specific evidence.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.134-142
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• 2010

Although BinSo-San(BSS), a mixed herbal formula consisted of 11 types of medicinal herbs and have been used as anti-inflammatory agent, In the present study, the acute toxicity (single oral dose toxicity) of lyophilized BSS aqueous extracts was monitored in male and female mice after oral administration according to Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) Guidelines (2005-60, 2005). In order to observe the 50% lethal dose ($LD_{50}$), approximate lethal dosage (ALD), maximum tolerance dosage (MTD) and target organs, test articles were once orally administered to female and male ICR mice at dose levels of 2000, 1000, 500, 250 and 0 (control) mg/kg (body wt.) according to the recommendation of KFDA Guidelines (2005-60, 2005). The mortality and changes on body weight, clinical signs and gross observation were monitored during 14 days after dosing according to KFDA Guidelines (2005-60, 2005) with organ weight and histopathology of 12 types of principle organs. We could not find any mortality, clinical signs and changes in the body weights except for dose-independent increases of body weight and gains restricted in 1000 mg/kg of BSS extracts-dosing female group. Hypertrophic changes of lymphoid organs.thymus, spleen and popliteal lymph nodes were detectedat postmortem observation with BSS extracts dose-dependent increases of lymphoid organ weights, and hyperplasia of lymphoid cells in these all three lymphoid organs at histopathological observations. These changes are considered as results of pharmacological effects of BSS extracts or their components, immunomodulating effects, not toxicological signs. In addition, some sporadic accidental findings such as congestion spots, cyst formation in kidney, atrophy of thymus and spleen with depletion of lymphoid cells, and edematous changes of uterus with desquamation of uterus mucosa as estrus cycles were detected throughout the whole experimental groups including both male and female vehicle controls. The significant (p<0.01) increases of absolute weights of kidney and pancreas detected in BSS extracts 1000 mg/kg-treated female group are considered as secondary changes from increases of body weights. The results obtained in this study suggest that the BSS extract is non-toxic in mice and is therefore likely to be safe for clinical use. The LD50 and ALD of BSS aqueous extracts in both female and male mice were considered as over 2000 mg/kg because no mortalities were detected upto 2000 mg/kg that was the highest dose recommended by KFDA and OECD. In addition, the MTD of BSS extracts was also considered as over 2000 mg/kg because no BSS extracts-treatment related toxicological signs were detected at histopathological observation except for BSS or their component-related pharmacological effects, the immunomodulating effects detected in the present study.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.187-195
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with the severity of fall-related injuries among patients who suffered a fall from similar heights and analyze differences in injury sites according to intentionality and injury severity. Methods: The Emergency Department-based Injury In-depth Surveillance (EDIIS) data collected between 2019 and 2020 were used in this retrospective study. Patients with fall-related injuries who fell from a height of ≥6 and <9 m were included. Patients were categorized into the severe and mild/moderate groups according to their excessive mortality ratio-adjusted Injury Severity Score (EMRISS) and the intention and non-intention groups. Injury-related and outcome-related factors were compared between the groups. Results: In total, 33,046 patients sustained fall-related injuries. Among them, 543 were enrolled for analysis. A total of 256 and 287 patients were included in the severe and mild/moderate groups, respectively, and 93 and 450 patients were included in the intention and non-intention groups, respectively. The median age was 50 years (range, 39-60 years) and 45 years (range, 27-56 years) in the severe and mild/moderate groups, respectively (P<0.001). In multivariable analysis, higher height (odds ratio [OR] 1.638; 95% confidence interval [Cl], 1.279-2.098) and accompanying foot injury (OR, 0.466; 95% CI, 0.263-0.828) were independently associated with injury severity (EMR-ISS ≥25) and intentionality of fall (OR, 0.722; 95% CI, 0.418-1.248) was not associated with injury severity. The incidence of forearm injuries was four (4.3%) and 58 cases (12.9%, P=0.018) and that of foot injuries was 20 (21.5%) and 54 cases (12.0%, P=0.015) in the intention versus non-intention groups, respectively. Conclusions: Among patients who fell from a similar height, age, and fall height were associated with severe fall-related injuries. Intentionality was not related to injury severity, and patients with foot injury were less likely to experience serious injuries. Injuries in the lower and upper extremities were more common in intentional and unintentional falls, respectively.