• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.14 no.1_2
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• pp.21-33
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• 1999

A large number of studies have indicated associations between the impairment of respiratory health and exposure to ambient air pollutants such as ozone (O$_3$) , nitrogen dioxide (NO$_2$) , sulfur dioxide(SO$_2$) , particulate matters (PM$\_$10/). To evaluate this associations, we used the pulmonary function tests (peak expiratory flow rate : PEFR) by mini-wright peak flow meter and counting neutrophils in the nasal lavage (NL) as biomarker. From 15 June to 16 July 1998, for the workers in the highway tollgates, PEFR and NL were measured three times daily and twice per week. and association between the level of air pollutants and PEFR and NL were analyzed using the multiple regression model and the poisson regression model respectively. The results indicated that the effects of all measured air pollutants (SO$_2$, NO$_2$, O$_3$, PM$\_$10/) were not significantly associated with the value of PEFR. On the other side, SO$_2$, NO$_2$, PM$\_$10/ were significantly associated with the number of neutrophils in NL. The increase in SO$_2$, NO$_2$of 10ppb and in PM$\_$10/ of 10$\mu\textrm{g}$/m$^3$was associated with 24%, 21%, 35% increases in neutrophil counts. But the ozone exposure was not associated with NL.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.183-186
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• 2003

To evaluate the effect of air pollution on respiratory health in children, we conducted a longitudinal study in which children were asked to record their daily levels of peak expiratory flow rate using potable peak flow meter (mini-Wright) far 4 weeks. The relationship between daily PEFR and ambient air particle levels was analyzed using a mixed linear regression models including gender, age in you, weight, the presence of respiratory symptoms, and relative humidity as an extraneous variable. The daily mean concentrations of PM$\_$10/ and PM$\_$2.5/ over the study period were 64.9$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥ and 46. l$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥, respectively. The range of daily measured PEFR in this study was 170-481 l/min. Daily mean PEFR was regressed with the 24-hour. average PM$\_$10/ (or PM$\_$2.5/) levels, weather information such as air temperature and relative humidity, and individual characteristics including sex, weight, and respiratory symptoms. The analysis showed that the increase of air particle concentrations was negatively associated with the variability in PEFR. We estimated that the IQR increment of PM$\_$10/ or PM$\_$2.5/ were associated with 1.5 l/min (95% Confidence intervals -3.1, 0.1) and 0.8 l/min (95% Cl -1.8, 0.1) decline in PEFR. Even though this study shows negative findings on the relationship between respiratory function and air particles, it is worth noting that the findings must be interpreted cautiously because exposure measurement based on monitoring of ambient air likely results in misclassification of true exposure levels and this is the first Korean study that PM$\_$2.5/ measurement is applied as an index of air particle quality.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.86-90
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• 1998

Verrucous carcinoma is a variant of highly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma and has a predilection for the oral cavity and larynx. It is known to be of good prognosis due to its low regional and distant metastatic potential. Peak incidence is at ages 40-69 while predominantly occuring in males and its association with tobacco smoking has been implicated. The verrucous carcinoma have accordingly been treated by radiotherapy or surgical procedures but there has been considerable controversy regarding the effect of radiotherapy due to the possibility of anaplastic transformation Laser surgery and partial resection are among the commonly used surgical procedures but laser surgery has not yet shown results in improving phonetic abilities. Authors experienced two cases of verrucous carcinoma of the larynx treated by partial laryngectomy and false vocal cord advancement flap who showed no recurrence of disease under stroboscopic examination after two year follow up and when compared to preoperative aerodynamic studies, the expiratory air pressure was decreased and mean air flow rate increased which improved glottal efficiency markedly.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.222-226
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• 2014

Background: Focusing on the respiratory function for health effect indices, we conducted a cross-sectional study on workers who did and did not handle toner to compare the longitudinal changes. Methods: Among 116 individuals who worked for a Japanese business equipment manufacturer and participated in the study, the analysis included 69 male workers who we were able to follow up for 4 years. We categorized the 40 workers engaged in toner-handling work as the exposed group and the 29 workers not engaged in these tasks as the referent group, and compared their respiratory function test results: peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), vital capacity (VC), predicted vital capacity (%VC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second ($FEV_1$), and forced expiratory volume in 1 second as a percent of forced vital capacity ($FEV_1%$). Results: The cross-sectional study of the respiratory function test results at the baseline and at the $5^{th}$ year showed no statistically significant differences in PEFR, VC, %VC, $FEV_1$, and $FEV_1%$ between the exposed and referent workers. Also, respiratory function time-course for 4 years was calculated and compared between the groups. No statistically significant differences were shown. Conclusion: Our study does not suggest any toner exposure effects on respiratory function. However, the number of subjects was small in our study; studies of larger populations will be desired in the future.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.1082-1090
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• 2009

Peak expiratory flow rate(PEF) is a very important diagnostic parameter obtained from the forced vital capacity(FVC) test. The expiratory flow rate increases during the short initial time period and may cause measurement error in PEF particularly due to non-ideal dynamic characteristic of the transducer. The present study evaluated the initial rise slope($S_r$) on the flow rate signal to compensate the transducer output data. The 26 standard signals recommended by the American Thoracic Society(ATS) were generated and flown through the velocity-type respiratory air flow transducer with simultaneously acquiring the transducer output signal. Most PEF and the corresponding output($N_{PEF}$) were well fitted into a quadratic equation with a high enough correlation coefficient of 0.9997. But only two(ATS#2 and 26) signals resulted significant deviation of $N_{PEF}$ with relative errors>10%. The relationship between the relative error in $N_{PEF}$ and $S_r$ was found to be linear, based on which $N_{PEF}$ data were compensated. As a result, the 99% confidence interval of PEF error was turned out to be approximately 2.5%, which was less than a quarter of the upper limit of 10% recommended by ATS. Therefore, the present compensation technique was proved to be very accurate, complying the international standards of ATS, which would be useful to calibrate respiratory air flow transducers.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.437-443
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• 2010

This study was designed to examine the aerobic capacity and ventilatory response during an incremental exercise in elite high school cyclists. Twelve boys ($17{\pm}1\;yr$, $175{\pm}5\;cm$, $70{\pm}9\;kg$) participated in anthropometric measurements, incremental exercise testing, and pulmonary function tests. During incremental exercise testing using a cycle ergometer, their maximal oxygen uptake ($VO_2max$), maximal power output, ventilation, ventilatory equivalents for oxygen ($V_E/VO_2$) and carbon dioxide ($V_E/VCO_2$), respiratory rate, and tidal volume were measured. Time variables such as inspiratory time (Ti), expiratory time (Te), breathing time (Tb), and inspiratory duty cycle (Ti/Tb), as well as inspiratory flow rate ($V_T$/Ti) were assessed. Pulmonary function of vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$), $FEV_1$/FVC, and peak expiratory flow were evaluated. Their $VO_2max$, maximal heart rate, and Wmax were $57.5{\pm}3.9\;ml{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}min^{-1}$, $194.1{\pm}8.6\;beat{\cdot}min^{-1}$, and 452 W, respectively. $VO_2max$ was not related to any anthropometric parameters. Most ventilatory variables progressively increased with exercise intensity. As intensity increased, Ti, Tb, Tb decreased while Ti/Tb was maintained. Below an intensity of 250 W, height, weight, body mass index, and body surface were highly correlated with $V_T$/Ti and Ti/Tb (p<0.05). Collectively, $VO_2max$ appeared to be lower than adult cyclists, suggesting a different pattern of ventilatory control as age advances. Morphological characteristics were not related to $VO_2max$ in the population. Time variables of ventilatory response seemed to be related only at an exercise intensity level of less than 250 W. $V_T$/Ti may be related to exercise endurance capacity, but Ti/Tb was similar to adult cyclists.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.162-172
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of study was to report the clinical improvement of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients treated with Korean medicine pulmonary rehabilitation. Methods: The patients were treated with Lung-conduction exercise, Chuna manual therapy, Exercise therapy. To assess the treatment outcomes, we used the pulmonary function test (PFT), modified medical research council scale (mMRC), 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), COPD assessment test (CAT), St. George respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ). Results: After treatments, the patient's clinical symptoms were improved with CAT, SGRQ's significant decrease and PFT, mMRC, 6MWD and PEFR were maintained or improved slightly. Conclusions: The Korean medicine pulmonary rehabilitation was effective in the treatment of COPD patients. This study suggested the possibility of Korean Medicine pulmonary rehabilitation program in the clinic.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.171-179
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of study was to report the clinical improvement of late complications of COVID-19 patient complaining of dyspnea treated with Korean medicine pulmonary rehabilitation. Methods: To assess the treatment outcomes, we used the modified medical research council scale (mMRC), 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), St. George respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ). Results: After treatments, the patient's clinical symptoms were improved with mMRC, 6MWD, PEFR, and SGRQ. Conclusions: The Korean medicine pulmonary rehabilitation was effective in the treatment of late complications of COVID-19 patient. This study suggested the possibility of Korean Medicine pulmonary rehabilitation program in the clinic for late complications of COVID-19.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.169-175
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• 1998

Background: Heliox is known to decrease $PaCO_2$ in patients with increased airway resistance by increasing minute ventilation and reducing work of breathing(WOB). Besides these effect, heliox is expected to decrease functional anatomic dead space owing to improvement of peak expiratory flow rate(PEFR) and enhancement of gas distribution. We investigated whether heliox can decrease $PaCO_2$ even at the same minute ventilation (VE) and WOB with $N_2-O_2$ to speculate the effect of the heliox on the anatomic dead space. Material and Method: The subjects were 8 mechanically ventilated patients with asthma or upper airway obstruction(M : F=5 : 3, $68{\pm}10$years) who were under neuromuscular paralysis. The study was consisted of three 15-minutes phases: basal $N_2-O_2$ heliox and washout Heliox was administered via the low pressure inlet of servo 900C, and respiratory parameters were measured by pulmonary monitor(CP-100 pulmonary monitor, Bicore, Irvine, CA, USA). To obtain the same tidal volume(Vt) in heliox phase, the Vt on monitor was adjusted by the factor of relative flow rate of heliox to $N_2-O_2$. Dead space was calculated by Bohr equation. Results: 1) Vt, VE, peak inspiratory pressure(PIP) and peak inspiratory flow rate(PIFR) were not different between $N_2-O_2$ and heliox. 2) PEFR was higher on heliox($0.52{\pm}0.19$L/sec) than $N_2-O_2$($0.44{\pm}0.13$L/sec)(p=0.024). 3) $PaCO_2$(mmHg) were decreased with heliox($56.1{\pm}14.1$) compared to $N_2-O_2$($60.5{\pm}15.9$)(p=0.027). 4) Dead space ventilation(%) were decreased with heliox($73{\pm}9$ with $N_2-O_2$ and $71{\pm}10$ with heliox)(p=0.026). Conclusion: Heliox decreased $PaCO_2$ even at the same VE and WOB with $N_2-O_2$, and the effect was considered to be related with the reduction of anatomic dead space.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.346-354
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• 2002

Background : Dyspnea and a limitation in exercise performance are important cause of disability in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). A depleted nutritional state is a common problem in patients with a severe degree of chronic airflow limitation. This study was carried out to assess the factors determining the maximum exercise capacity in patients with COPD. Methods : The resting pulmonary function, nutritional status, and maximum exercise performance was assessed in 83 stable patients with moderate to severe COPD. The nutritional status was evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Maximum exercise performance was evaluated by maximum oxygen uptake($VO_2max$). Results : Among the 83 patients, 59% were characterized by nutritional depletion. In the depleted group, a significantly lower peak expiratory flow rate(p<0.05), Kco(p<0.01) and maximum inspiratory pressure(p<0.05), but a significantly higher airway resistance(p<0.05) was observed. The maximum oxygen uptake and the peak oxygen pulse were lower in the depleted group. The $VO_2max$ correlated with some of the measures of the body composition : fat-free mass(FFM), fat mass(FM), body mass index(BMI), intracellular water index(ICW index), and pulmonary function : forced vital capacity(FVC), forced inspiratory vital capacity(FIVC), diffusion capacity(DLCO) : or maximum respiratory pressure : maximum inspiratory pressure(PImax), maximum expiratory pressure(PEmax). Stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that the FFM, DLCO and FIVC accounted for 68.8% of the variation in the $VO_2max$. Conclusion : The depletion of the FFM is significant factor for predicting the maximum exercise performance in patients with moderate to severe COPD.