• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1931-1935
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• 2013

Background: This study was undertaken to identify the socio-demographic determinants of quit attempts among smokers and smokeless tobacco users to identify correlates of tobacco cessation behaviour in India Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study for the outcome of quit attempts made by current tobacco users in last 12 months in twelve districts in two states. Simple and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to obtain the odds ratios (ORs) of socio-demographic variables (age, gender, education, occupation, socio-economic status, community, area, type of family) and tobacco user status (smoker/smokeless). Results: In the combined analysis, a smoker had higher predicted probability of attempting quitting (OR-1.41,CI 1.14-1.90), in comparison to a smokeless tobacco user and a tobacco user in the state of Gujarat was less likely to attempt quitting than a user in Andhra Pradesh (OR-0.60, CI 0.47-0.78). The probability of making a quit attempt was higher among tobacco users who were more educated (OR-1.40, CI 1.04-1.94), having a higher socio-economic status (SES) (OR-2.39, CI 1.54-3.69), and belonging to non-agricultural labourer occupational group (OR-1.90, CI 1.29-2.78). The effects were maintained even after adjusting for all other variables. In disaggregated analysis, findings were similar except in smokeless as a separate group, education level was not significantly associated with quit attempts and with lower odds (OR-0.91, CI 0.58-1.42). Conclusions: This is one of the first studies to provide useful insight into potential determinants for quit attempts of tobacco users in India including smokeless tobacco users, exploring the socio-demographic patterning of correlates of quit attempts.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.13
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• pp.5573-5578
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• 2015

Background: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to compare the post-recurrence survival with hepatic re-resection versus transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after initial resection. Materials and Methods: All relevant papers were searched via PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a random-effects model. Subgroup analysis was performed according to country. Sensitivity analysis was performed in studies which clearly reported the recurrent regions, in moderate/high-quality studies, in studies published in full-text form, and in studies published after 2005. Results: In total, twelve papers were included in our study. Five and seven of them were of moderate- and poor-quality, respectively. The overall meta-analysis demonstrated a statistically significantly higher post-recurrence survival in the hepatic re-resection group than in those undergoing TACE (HR=0.64, 95%CI=0.52-0.79, P<0.0001). Heterogeneity was statistically significant and statistical significance remained in the subgroup analysis. Sensitivity analyses were also consistent with the overall analysis. Conclusions: Hepatic re-resection might provide a better post-recurrence survival than TACE for recurrent HCC after initial resection. However, considering the low quality of published studies and the potential bias of treatment selection, further randomized trials should be warranted to confirm these findings.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3409-3416
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• 2012

Aim: It is well known that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo (a) pyrene have carcinogenic properties and may cause many types of cancers in human populations. Genetic susceptibility might be due to variation in genes encoding for carcinogen metabolizing enzymes, such as cytochrome P-450 (CYP450). Our study aimed to investigate the effect of genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1 (m1 and m2) on genetic damage in 115 coal-tar workers exposed to PAHs at their work place. Methods: Genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1 were determined by the PCR-RFLP method. Comet and buccal micronucleus assays were used to evaluate genetic damage among 115 coal tar workers and 105 control subjects. Results: Both CYP1A1 m1 and CYP1A1 m2 heterozygous and homozygous (wt/mt+mt/mt) variants individually as well as synergistically showed significant association (P<0.05) with genetic damage as measured by tail moment (TM) and buccal micronuclei (BMN) frequencies in control and exposed subjects. Conclusion: In our study we found significant association of CYP1A1 m1 and m2 heterozygous (wt/mt)+homozygous (mt/mt) variants with genetic damage suggesting that these polymorphisms may modulate the effects of PAH exposure in occupational settings.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2163-2170
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• 2012

Aim: This one group semi-experimental study was performed to develop and adapt flow charts of nursing practices applied to gynecologic oncology patients to the field. Methods: The research was conducted between October 2008 and March 2009 in 6 hospitals in Istanbul (3 health ministry hospitals, 2 private hospitals and 1 university hospital) with effective programs. The scope of the study included 97 midwives/nurses who had been working as caregivers of gynecologic oncology patients in this unit at least for 6 months and who participated in this study voluntarily; 87 people composed the sample because of the absence of others on vacation or sick leave when the data were collected or who did not wish to participate. The data were in descriptive information form collected via "Forms to Determine the Efficiency of Flow Charts". Before data collection, risks related to gynecologic oncology problems were identified, a literature scanning was made for existing flow charts based on actual practices and the discovered charts were reviewed. As a result of the evaluations, it was decided to create 15 flow charts intended for risks, symptoms, operation processes and discharge. Questionnaires to determine activity were applied to participants before and after practice. Results: As a result of the study, it was determined that the efficiency of the flow charts increased significantly (p <0.01) after practice of the participants, nosignificant relationships (p>0.01) being apparent with age group, education level, occupational period in the job and in the gynecologic oncology field and evaluations of the practice before and after it was applied. Conclusion: The results of the study revealed that nursing participants in university and private hospitals and who supported the existence of a flow chart in the field evaluated the flow charts positively.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.1
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• pp.58-62
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• 2011

Pulmonary siderosis is a pneumoconiosis caused by chronic iron inhalation. A diagnosis of pulmonary siderosis is based on a patient history of iron inhalation, on chest radiographic findings, and on accumulation of iron oxide in macrophages within the lung. A typical radiographic finding of pulmonary siderosis includes ill-defined micronodules that are diffusely distributed in the lung. We experienced a 52-year-woman with a $1.3{\times}1.5$-cm mass in the left upper lobe with multiple nodules in both lungs. Because the radiographic findings were atypical, we conducted a video-assisted thorascopic lung biopsy procedure to exclude the diagnosis of metastatic lung cancer. After confirming iron deposition in the lung tissue and knowing the patient's occupational history of welding iron, we concluded that this was a case of pulmonary siderosis.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.291-297
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• 2023

Objectives: An epidemiological investigation was requested for a worker who developed COPD and IPF after long-term molding and firing at a domestic tile manufacturing site. We would like to share the results of the exposure assessment and the estimation of past work. Methods: The content of crystalline silica in four raw materials was analyzed, and the respirable fraction of crystalline silica and dust generated in the air from molding and firing workers and other processes were measured. The measurement and analysis method referred to the NIOSH method. Results: The crystalline silica content of the raw material was 24~47%. The concentration of crystalline silica in the molding and firing process workers and the surrounding area was at the level of the exposure standards set by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and ACGIH, and the respirable and total dust exposure levels were generally low. The crystalline silica concentration of the area samples measured to estimate past work was about twice as high as the exposure standard of the Ministry of Employment and Labor (0.05 mg/m3), and the exposure levels of respirable dust were also quite high at 0.903 and 1.332 mg/m3. Conclusions: It was confirmed that tile molding and firing workers are currently exposed to a fairly high level of crystalline silica, and a high level is also confirmed in area samples to estimate past work. In the past, it is judged that the level of exposure would have been much higher due to differences in production volume, working method, presence/absence of local ventilation facilities, and process layout. When working in such a working environment for a long time, respiratory diseases such as lung cancer, COPD, and IPF can occur.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.299-299
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• 2005

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1994.02a
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• pp.23-56
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• 1994

Recent criticisms of the conduct and use of risk assessment by regulatory agencies have led to a wide range of proposed remedies, including changes in regulatory statutes and the development of new methods for assessing risk. The mandate to this Committee was more limited. Our objective was to examine whether alterations in institutional arrangements or procedures, particularly the organizational separation of risk assessment from regulatory decision-making and the use of uniform guidelines for inferring risk from available scientific information, can improve federal risk assessment activities. Before undertaking to determine whether organizational and procedural reforms could improve the performance and use of risk assessment in the federal government, the Committee examined the state of risk assessment and the regulatory environment in which it is performed. In this chapter, we define risk assessment and differentiate it from other elements in the regulatory process, analyze the types of judgments made in risk assessment, and examine its current government context. Because one chronic health hazard, cancer, was highlighted in the Committee's congressional mandate and has dominated public concern about public health risks in recent years, most of our report focuses on it. Furthermore, because activities in four agencies--the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)--have given rise to many of the proposals for changes in risk assessment practices, our review focuses on these four agencies. The conclusions of this report, although directed primarily at risk assessment of potential carcinogens as performed by these four agencies, may be applicable to other federal programs to reduce health risks.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.398-402
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• 2007

Abstract Female mice post weaning were exposed to 20 kHz sawtooth electric and magnetic fields (EMF) with $6.25{\mu}T$ peak intensity for 6 weeks. Estrous cycles were checked using vaginal smears over the last 10 days of the experimental period. The vaginal smears from EMF-exposed mice revealed an increase in the frequency of one or two phases persisting. The number of estrous cycles less than 1 was more in the EMF-exposed group than in the sham control group. Furthermore, in the EMF-exposed group, the duration of proestrous and metestrous stages of the estrous cycle was significantly increased compared with the control group. In conclusion, our results suggest that exposure to 20 kHz sawtooth EMF may affect normal cycling of the estrous cycle by disrupting the female reproductive endocrine physiology. We should not disregard the possible adverse reproductive effect of the 20 kHz sawtooth EMF generated under the occupational exposure situation in females.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.253-257
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• 2014

Arsenic is a ubiquitous, naturally occurring metalloid that may be a significant risk factor for cancer after exposure to contaminated drinking water, cigarettes, foods, industry, occupational environment, and air. Among the various routes of arsenic exposure, drinking water is the largest source of arsenic poisoning worldwide. Arsenic exposure from ingested foods usually comes from food crops grown in arsenic-contaminated soil and/or irrigated with arsenic-contaminated water. According to a recent World Health Organization report, arsenic from contaminated water can be quickly and easily absorbed and depending on its metabolic form, may adversely affect human health. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration regulations for metals found in cosmetics to protect consumers against contaminations deemed deleterious to health; some cosmetics were found to contain a variety of chemicals including heavy metals, which are sometimes used as preservatives. Moreover, developing countries tend to have a growing number of industrial factories that unfortunately, harm the environment, especially in cities where industrial and vehicle emissions, as well as household activities, cause serious air pollution. Air is also an important source of arsenic exposure in areas with industrial activity. The presence of arsenic in airborne particulate matter is considered a risk for certain diseases. Taken together, various potential pathways of arsenic exposure seem to affect humans adversely, and future efforts to reduce arsenic exposure caused by environmental factors should be made.