• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.208-212
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• 2012

In previous studies, ovarian follicle in rat has been used a higher radiation dose than that for cancer radiotherapy in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of radiation dose used for cancer radiotherapy on ovarian follicle atresia in rat. Mice of 4-week-old female were whole body irradiated with 2 cGy or 2 Gy (Mevatron 67, Siemens, Germany) and sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Ovaries were collected at 24 hours after irradiation to observe the degree of follicular atresia. Ovaries were fixed in neutral formaldehyde solution for 24 hours and embedded with paraffin. Cutted in $5{\mu}m$ thickness with microtome and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and TUNEL immunohistochemical stain, and examined histologically under a light microscope. All data were presented as mean ${\pm}SD$, calculating the ratio of normal or atretic follicles to total ovarian follicles. Statistical analysis was performed by the Mann Whitney test using the SPSS ver 19.0. Ratio of atretic to total follicles of 2 Gy group was significantly higher than control or 2 cGy groups (p<0.05). Ratio of normal to total follicles of 2 Gy group was significantly lower than control group in preantral follicle (64.0 vs. 87.7, p=0.027). Ratio of normal to total follicles of 2 cGy group was significantly increased more than control or 2 Gy groups in antral follicle, and there were no significant difference between control and 2 Gy groups (p=0.522). Radiation dose of 2 Gy for cancer radiotherapy have a significant effect on ovarian follicle atresia in rat.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.31 no.3 s.62
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• pp.490-502
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• 1998

This study purports to find the predictor of hospital bankruptcy in Korea and to examine the predictive power of the discriminant function model of hospital bankruptcy. Data on 17 financial and 4 non-financial indicators of 31 bankrupt and 31 profitable hospitals of 1, 2, and 3 years before bankruptcy were obtained from the hospital performance databank of Korea Institute of Health Services Management. Significant variables were identified through mean comparison of each indicator between bankrupt and profitable hospitals, and the discriminant function model of hospital bankruptcy was developed. The major findings are as follows 1. As for profitability indicators, net worth to total assets, operating profit to total capital, operating profit ratio to gross revenues, normal profit to total assets, normal profit to gross revenues, net profit to total assets were significantly different in mean comparison test in 1, 2, and 3 years before hospital bankruptcy. With regard to liquidity indicators, current ratio and quick ratio were significant in 1 year before bankruptcy. For activity indicators, patients receivable turnover was significant in 2 and 3 years before bankruptcy and added value per adjusted inpatient days was significant in 3 years before bankruptcy. 2. The discriminant function in 1, 2, and 3 years before bankruptcy were; $Z=-0.0166{\times}quick$ ratio-$0.1356{\times}normal$ profit to total assets-$1.545{\times}total$ assets turnrounds in 1 year before bankruptcy, $Z=-0.0119{\times}quick$ ratio-$0.1433{\times}operating$ profit to total assets-$0.0227{\times}value$ added to total assets in 2 years before bankruptcy, and $Z=-0.3533{\times}net$ profit to total assets-$0.1336{\times}patients$ receivables turn-rounds-$0.04301{\times}added$ value per adjusted $patient+0.00119{\times}average$ daily inpatient census in 3 years before bankruptcy. 3. The discriminant function's discriminant power in 1, 2, and 3 years before bankruptcy was 77.42, 79.03, 82.25% respectively.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.61-70
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) of residential home dwelling elderly and home for the aged dwelling elderly. In attempt to address medical professional caring the elderly, this comparative study examines the factors associated with dependence in the ADL and IADL in two samples of elderly people living in two different environments. Methods: The instrument of ADL and IADL widely used Katz ADL and IADL. Katz ADL and IADL was not a perfect fit for Korean. In concern with cultural factors Won developed K(Korean)-ADL and K-IADL scale reflecting Korean's own language expression and cultural factors in year of 2002. The assessment tool of this study was K-ADL and K-IADL. Differences of ADL and IADL were tested for statistical significance using group t-test and x2 test for comparisons between the residential home dwelling elderly and the home for the aged dwelling elderly. Results: Comparison of assessment for K-ADL and K-IADL in two different dwelling types was significant. Performance of ADL and IADL depend upon their living environment such as social status, number of children, income, present illness as well as age group. This study also showed significant differences of performance in some activities of ADL and IADL between the elderly who live in their own home and live in home for the aged. Comparison of performance of ADL and IADL in different dwelling types revealed that only one item of ADL was significant but only one item of IADL was not significant. It means that IADL is more difficult activities in the home for the aged dwelling elderly than the residential home dwelling elderly. The coupled elderly has more independent in some ADL and IADL activities compared with the single elderly. Conclusion: Using K-ADL and K-IADL is more convenient for Korean elderly. Medical professional consider some factors like dwelling style, social status, existing diseases and disabilities in order to care the elderly and train him/her activities of daily living as well as instrumental activities of daily living. Medical professional, especially physical and occupational therapist emphasize the training items which are bathing of ADL and grooming, housework, preparing meals, laundry, traveling, public transportation, shopping, using telephone and taking medicine of IADL based on the result of this study.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.239-247
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• 2008

In order to study the occurrence of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders of radio-technologists employed at metropolitan general hospitals and the factors that influence such occurrence, standardized questionnaire by NIOSH that was modified and supplemented to be suitable for conditions in Korea was used. Answers collected from 143 radio-technologists in two weeks from June 13, 2007 were analyzed and the results are as follows. Factor that influence symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders by area were analyzed through multiple logistic regression analysis and the results found that in the neck area, risk increased as the burdening work category 2(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=3.94) and burdening work category 9(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=4.72) increased. In the shoulder region, risk increased as burdening work category 2(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=5.36), burdening work category 7(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=3.90), and burdening work category 9 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=5.76) increased. In the arm/hand/wrist regions, risk increased as burdening work category 2 (Korea ministry of labor) (OR=6.91), and burdening work category 9 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=3.76) increased. In the lower back region, risk increased as burdening work category 2 (Korea ministry of labor) (OR=3.06), and burdening work category 8 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=8.14) increased. In the leg/knees/foot regions, risk increased as burdening work category 2 (Korea ministry of labor) (OR=3.63), and burdening work category 9 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=2.96) increased. Conclusively, in factors that influence musculoskeletal disorder symptoms in radio-technologists, influence of subjective health conditions, total work experience, experience in current division, and burdening work category 2, 7, 8, and 9 (Korea ministry of labor) were most significant. Therefore, for preventive management, in addition to ergonomic and educational intervention for correcting improper posture during work, efforts for break time adjustment and stress reduction is needed, and encouragement and support for regular exercise is needed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.113-131
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• 1997

This study was performed to evaluate the exposure levels of worker exposed to welding fume and metals in confined spaces of a shipyard. The airborne concentration of welding fumes and metal elements in confined spaces were compared with those in open working areas. Results of the study were as follows. 1. The geometric mean of welding fume concentration in a confined space was $16.6mg/m^3$, which contained $3.9mg/m^3$ Fe, $1.2mg/m^3$ Mg, $0.8mg/m^3$ Zn, $0.008mg/m^3$ Cu, $0.008mg/m^3$ Pb, $0.005mg/m^3$ Ni, $0.003mg/m^3$ Cr, $0.003mg/m^3$ Cd. The geometric mean of welding fume concentration in open working areas was $5.2mg/m^3$, which contained $1.1mg/m^3$ Fe, $0.3mg/m^3$ Mg, $0.3mg/m^3$ Zn, $0.004mg/m^3$ Cu, $0.008mg/m^3$ Pb, $0.005mg/m^3$ Ni, $0.003mg/m^3$ Cr, $0.0003mg/m^3$ Cd. The geometric mean of welding fume concentration in confined spaces was 3,2 times higher than that in open working areas. The geometric mean concentrations of such metals as Fe, Mg, Zn, or Cu within fume in confined spaces were 2-4 times higher than those in open working areas, while little difference made such metals as Pb, Ni, Cr, Cd. 2. In 32 samples out of a total of 39 samples (82.1%) collected in confined spaces, the concentrations of welding fume exceeded TLV. while so did 19 samples out of 33 samples (57.6%) in open working areas. As for the concentrations of metals in welding flume from confined spaces, Fe exceeded TLV in 14 out of a total of 38 samples (36.8%), Mn exceeded TLV in 23 out of a total of 38 samples (60.5%). As for the concentration of metals in welding fume from open working areas, Fe exceeded TLV in 3 out of a total of 34 samples (8.8%), Mn exceeded TLV in 6 out of a total of 34 samples (17.6%). Considering additive effect among metals, in 31 out of a total of 39 samples (79.5%) collected in confined spaces, the concentrations of welding fume exceeded TLV, while so did 14 out of 38 samples (55.6%) in open working areas. 3. In respect of base metal and welding type the concentration of total welding fume by $CO_2$ gas W./mild steel was the highest, followed by semiauto MMA/mild steel, then followed by TIG or $CO_2$ gas W./stainless steel. ; as for concentration of metal within fume, a decreasing order was Fe, Zn, Mn, and Pb in $CO_2$ gas W./mild steel and semiauto MMA/mild steel, but Fe, Mn, Cr, and Ni in TIG or $CO_2$ gas W./stainless steel. 4. In case of welding base metal covered by paint, contents of Zn within red paint chip and within gray paint chip were 14.0% and 0.08% respectively, which showed a little difference, while the airborne concentrations of Zn within fume during welding base metal covered red paint and gray paint were $1.351mg/m^3$ and $1.018mg/m^3$ respectively, which showed little difference. As for Pb, contents of red paint chip and gray paint chip were 0.14% and 0.08% respectively, and the airborne concentrations within fume during welding base metal covered red paint and gray paint were $0.009mg/m^3$ and $0.007mg/m^3$ respectively, both of which showed little difference.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2006

Objectives: We studied to find out the relevant relationship between the type of residence and the level of mental depression among aged people. Methods: The authors surveyed 156 people who are over 65 in a small city. Here are three groups: 50 persons who live in the facility for the aged. 72 persons who live with their family and 34 persons who live alone. We developed the questionnaire and the severity of depressive symptoms was measured using Korean Form of Geriatric Depression Scale (KGDS) score. Results: Positive rate of depressive disorders among the aged people was 43.6%. Positive rate of depressive disorders among the aged who live in the facility for the aged was 42.0% and that persons who live with their family was 9.7%. It's more likely to be their gender, the marital status, schooling, going out and pocket money that affect on their mental depression. According to the multiple logistic regression, the odds ratios of the persons who live in the facility for the aged versus persons who live with their family and pocket money in a month were significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: The research shows that the mental depression in the aged people is more serious in the facility for the aged and also significantly related to their pocket money.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.464-471
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• 2002

Author applied several engineering methodologies to classical ultrasonic nebulizer to cope with it's demerits. After several trials and errors, we got the several meaningful results. To evaluate the modified ultrasonic nebulizer for inhalation toxicology of cadmium, author used light-scattering photometer. This paper is the one part of inhalation exposure systems for inhalation toxicology study of cadmium. According to the testing conditions, source temperature 50℃ and inlet-duct band temperature 150℃, aerosol generation results for sodium chloride and cadmium chloride were as followings: Coefficients of variation(CV) of sodium chloride and cadmium chloride for repeated trials were 3.38 and 4.77 for 10g, 2.47 and 5.02 for 5g, and 4.70 and 2.98 for 2.5g. All the CVs were within 10% of acceptance variability. Count Per Minute(CPM) changes of NaCl and CdCl₂ for 5 repeated trials were similar. CPM ratios of CdCl₂/NaCl were 1.13 for 10g, 0.76 for 5g, and 1.06 for 2.5g. Relative aerosol generation of cadmium chloride to sodium chloride was the highest in 10g. Efficiency increases of 24.50% for 5g NaCl, 14.91 % for 2.5g NaCl, and 16.48% for 2.5g CdCl₂ with respect to theoretical efficiency were observed but 0.04% efficiency decrease was observed in 5g CdC₂. According to the modifications of source temperature(20, 50, 70℃) and inlet-duct band temperature(20, 50, 100, 150, 200℃), aerosol generation results for NaCl and CdCl₂ were as followings: CPM trends for each quantity excepting 10g NaCl in inlet-duct band temperature 200℃ were similar, and the highest CPM was observed in source temperature 70℃ to each inlet-duct band temperature. The highest CPMs to 10, 5, and 2.5g NaCl were observed in source temperature 70℃ and inlet-duct band temperature 20℃. Aerosol generation of cadmium chloride was increased with the higher source temperature, excepting inlet-duct band temperature 200℃. The highest CPMs for 10, 5, and 2.5g CdCl₂ were observed in source temperature 70℃ and inlet-duct band temperature 20℃, and this trend was similar to NaCl aerosol generation The highest CPMs for 10, 5, and 2.5g CdCl₂ were observed in source temperature 70℃ and inlet-duct band temperature 20℃, and this result was similar to NaCl aerosol generation. Observed efficiencies of 5 and 2.5g NaCl were similar to ifs theoretical efficiency but -3.08% efficiency decrease of 5g CdCl₂, 17.47% efficiency increase of 2.5g CdCl₂ were observed. CPM ratio of CdCl₂/NaCl of 10g was different to 5 and 2.5g, and 2.5g ratio was higher than 5g ratio. In conclusion, to get maximum aerosol generation for NaCl and CdCl₂ will be the conditions that set the appropriate inlet-duct band temperature for each materials and increase the source temperature. Sodium chloride can be used to evaluate the performance and predict the concentration for cadmium aerosol in aerosol generator and inhalation exposure system.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.329-336
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• 2004

Objectives : Iron (Fe) is an essential element in biological processes; however excessive Fe is harmful to human health. Some air pollutants contain a high level of Fe, and the human lung could therefore be over-exposed to Fe through inhaled air pollutants. This study was performed to investigate the role of metal transporters (divalent metal transporter 1, DMT1, and metal transporter protein 1, MTP1) in the lung under the environments of Fe deficiency in the body and Fe over-exposure in the lung. Methods : Rats were fed Fe deficient (FeD, 2-6 mg Fe/kg) or Fe supplemented (FeS, 120 mg Fe/kg) diet for 4 weeks, followed by a single intratracheal instillation of ferrous sulfate at low (10 mg/kg) or high (20 mg/kg) dose. Fe concentration was analyzed in the serum, lung and liver, and histopathological findings were observed in the lung at 24 hours after Fe administration. The level of DMT1 and MTP1 expression in the lung was analyzed by RT-PCR. Also, the effect of Fe deficiency in the body was evaluated on the level of Fe concentration and metal transporters compared to FeS-diet fed rats at the end of 4-week FeD or FeS diet. Results : The 4-week FeD diet in rats induced an Fe deficiency anemia with decreased serum total Fe, increased unsaturated Fe binding capacity and hypochromic microcytic red blood cells. The concentration of Fe in the lung and liver was lower in the FeD-diet fed rats than in the FeS-diet fed rats. The level of metal transporters mRNA expression was higher in the FeD-diet fed rats than in the FeS-diet. The concentration of Fe in the lung was increased in a dose-dependent pattern after intratracheal instillation of Fe into the rats, while the level of Fe in the serum and liver was not increased in the low-dose Fe administered rats. Therefore, DMT1 and MTP1 mRNA was highly expressed in both FeD-diet and FeS-diet fed rats, after intratracheal instillation of Fe. Conclusions : DMT1 and MTP1 mRNA were more highly expressed in FeD-diet fed rats than in FeS-diet fed rats. The over-exposure of Fe intratracheally induced high expression of metal transporters and increased Fe deposition in the lung in both FeD-diet and FeS-diet fed rats, but did not increase the Fe level of the serum and liver in low-dose Fe administered rats. These results suggest that the role of metal transporters in the lung might be different in a part from the duodenum under the environment of over-exposure to Fe.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.243-252
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• 2005

Purpose: Indoor air quality (IAQ) in the radiation treatment center which is generally located underground is important to the health of hospital workers and patients treated over a long period of time. this study was conducted to measure and analyze the factors related to IAQ and subjective symptoms of sick building syndrome, and to establish the causes influencing IAQ and find a solution to the problems. Methods and Materials : Self administrated questionnaire was conducted to check the workers' symptoms and understanding of the work environment. Based on a preliminary investigation, the factors related to IAQ such as temperature, humidity, fine particulate. carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), and radon gas were selected and measured for a certain period of time in specific sites where hospital workers stay long in a day. And we also evaluated the surrounding environment and the efficiency of the ventilating system simultaneously, and measured the same factors at the first floor (outdoor) to compare with outdoor all quality, All collected data were assessed by the recommended standard for IAQ of the domestic and international environmental organizations. Results: Hospital workers were discontented with foul odors, humidity and particulate. They complained symptoms related to musculo-skeletal system, neurologic system, and mucosal-irritatation. Most of the factors were not greater than the recommended standard, but the level of TVOC was third or fourth times as much as the measuring level of some offices in the United States. The frequency and the amount of the ventilating system were adequate, however, the problem arising in the position of outdoor-air inlets and indoor-air outlets involved a risk of the indraft of contaminated air. A careful attention was a requirement in handling and keeping chemical substances including a developing solution which has a risk of TVOC emissions, and repositioning the ventilating system was needed to solve the contaminated-air circulation immediately Conclusion We verified that some IAQ-related factors and inadequate ventilating system could cause subjective symptoms in hospital workers. The evaluation of IAQ was surely needed to improve the underground working environments for hospital workers and patients. On the basis of these data, from now on, we should actively engage in designs of the department of radiation oncology or improvement in environments of the existing facilities.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.227-235
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• 1997

Cytogenetic studies were performed in peripheral blood lymphocytes from hospital workers occupationally exposed to low doses of radiation (0.30 - 40.07mSv). The workers were divided into three groups according to their job area : 18 diagnostic radiology, 17 therapeutic radiology, and 16 nuclear medicine. The control group consisted of 49 non-radiation workers with no history of exposure to radiation. A higher percentage of cells with aberration(1.275%) was observed in the workers compared to the controls(0.677%) and the difference was statistically significant(p<0.001). The frequency of chromosomal aberration was $0.706{\times}10^{-2}$/cell in the exposed and $0.344{\times}10^{-2}$/cell in the control(p<0.05). Chromosomal exchange frequency was $0.083{\times}10^{-2}$/cell in the control vs $0.245{\times}10^{-2}$/cell in the workers. There was no evidence of significant increase of chromosome aberration related to age or to the duration of employment. The frequency of chromosomal exchange in workers of nuclear medicine was $0.313{\times}10^{-2}$/cell, which was significantly higher than in the control($0.083{\times}10^{-2}$/cell) or other working groups: therapeutic radiology($0.265{\times}10^{-2}$/cell), and diagnostic radiology($0.167{\times}10^{-2}$/cell). No dose-effect relation was found between chromosome aberration and total cumulative doses, recent 5 yr, recent 2 yr cumulative dose. But in case of last 1 yr cumulative dose, dose-dependant increase was observed when controls were considered(p<0.05). The radiation dose which workers have received was much lower than the maximum permissible dose, but there was a significant difference in the frequency of chromosome aberration between occupationally exposed workers and control. So, it is clear that chromosome aberration is a quite sensitive indicator of radiation exposure and it can be detected at very low dose level of occupational exposure.