• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.21
• /
• pp.9535-9541
• /
• 2014

Background: Identifying risk factors of breast cancer is a key point for preventive strategies to reduce the incidence. The aim of current study was to determine most important risk factors for breast cancer in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) using a systematic review. Materials and Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science till August 24, 2012 and the reference lists of all included studies were searched. Analytic studies which had reported odds ratios (OR), relative risk (RR) or required data to calculate them were included. A total of 343 studies were critically appraised and finally 30 studies were meta-analyzed. Heterogeneity between the studies was assessed by $I^2$ and Cochran's Q. Egger's test was used to assess publication bias. Results: Twenty five casecontrol studies, one nested case-control and four cohort studies were included. The largest ORs were obtained for history of no live birth (2.25; 95%CI: 1.58-3.18), body mass index (BMI) more than 30 (2.21; 95%CI: 1.71-2.36), age at first pregnancy more than 30 years old (1.52; 95%CI: 1.30-1.77) and meat consumption more than three times per week (1.39; 95%CI: 1.03-1.87). The other important predictors were higher education and smoking as risk factors, physical activity and ovulatory stimulating medication as protective factors. Conclusions: The most important predictors of breast cancer in EMR were history of no live birth, BMI more than 30, age at first pregnancy more than 30 years old, physical inactivity and smoking. Almost all these risk factors are consistent with known risk factors for this cancer in other parts of the world.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.56 no.3
• /
• pp.335-342
• /
• 2018

Various technologies to cope with the energy and environmental issues related to the chemical and electric power industry are in development and demonstration stage. Especially, the absorption process of carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) using amine solution is a key technology of the $CO_2$ capture and storage (CCS). In this study, we identify the major risk factors and suggest strategies for safety improvement by analyzing and assessing commercial the amine-based $CO_2$ separation process. HAZOP method was used to assess the risk for the process. We provide facilities and operational strategies to mitigate or eliminate major risk factors by assessing the relative ranks of identified risk factors using a risk matrix.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.159-164
• /
• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the association between dietary intake of citrus fruits and prostate cancer risk. Methods : Authors searched electronic databases and the reference lists of publications of diet and prostate cancer studies until August 2007. All of the epidemiological studies that obtained individual data on dietary intake of citrus fruits and presented risk estimates of the association between intake of citrus fruits and risk of prostate cancer were identified and included. Using general variance-based methods, study-specific odds ratios (OR)/ relative risk (RR) and associated confidence interval (CI)/ standard error (SE) for highest versus lowest intake of citrus fruits level were extracted from each paper. Results : Eleven articles including six case-control studies, one nested case-control study and four cohort studies, proved eligible. Overall summary OR using random effect model did not show an association in risk of prostate caner with intake of citrus fruits (summary OR=1.03, 95% CI=0.89-1.19) with large heterogeneity across studies that we were unable to explain ($I^2$=67.88%). The summary ORs in case-control studies and cohort studies were 1.10 (95% CI=0.97-1.22) and 1.05 (95% CI=0.96-1.14), respectively. Conclusions : Pooled results from observational studies did not show an association between intake of citrus fruits and the risk of prostate cancer, although results vary substantially across studies.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
• /
• v.5 no.2 s.18
• /
• pp.115-122
• /
• 2004

This study identifies various risk factors associated with activities of early construction stage, then establishes the Risk Breakdown Structure(RBS) by classifying the risks into the three groups; Common risks, risks for Earth works, and risks for Foundation works. The Common risks are identified and classified by considering various aspects of the early construction stage such as financial, political, constructional aspects, etc. The risks for Earth works and Foundation works are identified in detail by surveying technical specifications, relevant claim cases and interviewing with experts. These risks are classified based on the Wok Breakdown Structure(WBS) of the early construction stage. The WBS presented in this study classifies the works of early construction stage into four categories; excavation, sheeting works, foundation works, footing works. This study suggests a risk analysis method using fuzzy theory for construction projects. Construction risks are generally evaluated as vague linguistic value by subjective decision making. Fuzzy theory is a proper method to quantify vague conditions of construction activities. Therefore, this study utilizes fuzzy theory to analyse construction risks. The weight of risks is estimated by reflecting the interrelationship among risk factors from absolute weights obtained by fuzzy measure into the relative weights by Analytical Hierarchy Process(AHP). The interrelationship is estimated by Sugeno-fuzzy measure.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.78-84
• /
• 2020

The F&EI technique is one of the risk assessments with many advantages. It can save time and effort compared to quantitative risk assessment (QRA). By using the evaluation result of this technique, it is possible to check the effectiveness of the investment cost. In addition, a relative risk ranking can be created and used to establish the facility management cycle and to prioritize investment. However, evaluating the target process can be evaluated more than the actual risk since the LCCF, a loss prevention measure, is too limited. In addition, calculating premiums via this method can result in excessive premiums, making it difficult to evaluate the risk precisely. Therefore, new safety guard was added to the LCCF of the F&EI risk assessment with reference to HAZOP and LOPA techniques. Newly added LCCFs are Deflagration arrester, Check valve, SIS, and Vacuum beaker, etc. As a case study, F&EI risk assessment was performed on Acetone storage tank of a API (Active pharmaceutical ingredient) plant to compare actual MPPD. The estimated loss amount was 592,558$ for the existing technique and 563,571$ for the improved technique, which was reduced by about 5% compared to the previous one.This proved that a more precise evaluation is possible and that the efforts for safety at the workplace are reflected in the evaluation results.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.11
• /
• pp.4493-4497
• /
• 2014

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can predict the clinical response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. However, EGFR mutations may be different in primary tumors (PT) and metastatic lymph nodes (MLN). The aim of this study was to compare EGFR mutations between PT and the corresponding MLN in NSCLC patients, and provide some guidelines for clinical treatment using TKI therapy. Materials and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed with several research databases. Relative risk (RR) with the 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to investigate the EGFR mutation status between PT and the corresponding MLN. A random-effects model was used. Results: 9 publications involving 707 patients were included in the analysis. It was found that activation of EGFR mutations identified in PT and the corresponding MLN was 26.4% (187/707) and 19.9% (141/707), respectively. The overall discordance rate in our meta-analysis was 12.2% (86/707). The relative risk (RR) for EGFR mutation in PT relative to MLN was 1.33 (95%CI: 1.10-1.60; random-effects model). There was no significant heterogeneity between the studies ($I^2$=5%, p=0.003). Conclusions: There exists a considerable degree of EGFR mutation discrepancy in NSCLC between PT and corresponding MLN, suggesting that tumor heterogeneity might arise at the molecular level during the process of metastasis.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.42 no.5
• /
• pp.324-332
• /
• 2016

Objectives: The annual average of PM10 in Seoul was $45{\mu}/m^3$, which surpasses the WHO annual guidelines ($20{\mu}/m^3$). Most previous analyses of the effects of PM exposure have been retrospective studies using single hospital data, and fewer studies have attempted to address the relationship of PM10 and hospital costs. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the concentration of PM10 on hospital visits, admissions and hospital costs in patients with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Methods: Medical data from the National Health Insurance Service and the monthly average of PM10 from National Institute of Environmental Research were used to identify the effects of PM10 on hospital visits, admissions and hospital costs. We applied Poisson regression and linear regression to perform the analysis. Results: The relative risks for admissions per $10{\mu}/m^3$ increase in PM10 were 23.11%, 10.2% and 6.9% increases for acute bronchiolitis, asthma and bronchitis, respectively. The relative risk for hospital visits per $10{\mu}/m^3$ increase in PM10 were 10.4%, 6.7% and 5.9% for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and chronic sinusitis, respectively. For cardiovascular disease, the relative risk for admissions per $10{\mu}/m^3$ increase in PM10 were 2.2% and 2.1% increases in angina and acute myocardial infarction, respectively. A $10{\mu}/m^3$ increase in the monthly average of PM10 corresponded to 170,723,000 won (95% CI: 125,587,000-215,860,000 won), 123,636,000 won (95% CI: 47,784,000-199,487,000 won) and 78,571,000 won (95% CI: 29,062,000-128,081,000 won) increases in hospital costs for asthma, acute tonsillitis and chronic sinusitis, respectively. Conclusion: Hospital admissions for respiratory and cardiovascular disease were associated with PM10 levels. PM10 exposure is also associated with increased costs for respiratory diseases.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.40 no.5
• /
• pp.381-387
• /
• 2007

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to determine how the association between socioeconomic position(SEP) and health status changes with age among Seoul residents aged 25 and over. Methods: We utilized the 2001 and 2005 Seoul Citizens Health Indicators Surveys. We used self-rated 'poor' health status as an outcome variable, and family income as an indicator of SEP. In order to characterize the differential effects of socioeconomic position on health by age, we conducted separate multivariate analyses by 10-year age groups, controlling for sociodemographic covariates. In order to assess the relative health inequality across socioeconomic groups, we estimated the Relative Index of Inequality (RII). Results: The risk of 'poor health' is significantly high in low family income groups, and this increased risk is seen at all ages. However, the magnitude of relative socioeconomic inequality in health, as measured by the odds ratio and RII, is not identical across age groups. The difference in health across income groups is small in early adulthood (ages 25-34), but increases with age until relatively late in life (ages 35-64). It then decreases among the elderly population (ages more than 65). When the RII reported in 2005 is compared to that reported in 2001, RII can be seen to have increased across all ages, with the exception of individuals aged 25-34. Conclusions: The magnitude of health inequality is the greatest during mid- to late adulthood (ages 45-64). In addition, health inequalities have worsened between 2001 and 2005 across all age groups after economic crisis.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.543-555
• /
• 2015

The existing standard for soil erosion risk assessment has limitations in sustainable topsoil management since the fixed criteria are applied to determination of soil erosion risk areas regardless of land use types. It may not be necessary to apply soil erosion best management practices to agricultural areas with high potential of soil erosion because human or economic damage derived from soil erosion might be tiny in that region. Furthermore, the fixed criterion with absolute values can select too many hot spots of soil erosion to conduct efficient soil erosion management. Thus, objective of this study was to suggest the relative criteria using statistical analysis for efficient soil erosion management. In future, the relative indices for soil erosion prevention should be improved to provide a priority of soil erosion management considering economic damage from soil erosion or functional values of soil with quantitative soil erosion. Additional researches will be needed to reflect a regional characteristics and to consider various land use types and different criteria.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.26-33
• /
• 2000

Genetic polymorphisms of metabolizing enzymes to chemical carcinogens have been recognized as a major important host factors in human cancers. To datermine the frequencies of genotypes of CYP1A1 and GSTM1 metabolizing enzymes in healthy controls and head and neck cancer patients in Korean and to identify the relative high risk genotypes of these metabolizing enzymes to head and neck cancer, we have analyzed 133 head and neck cancer patients and corresponding healthy controls matched in age and sex using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RELP). In analysis of CYP1A1, the Val/Val genotype of exon 7 polymorphism and m2/m2 genotype of Msp 1 polymorphism were associated with higher relative risks to head and neck cancers (Odds ratio : 2.34, 95% CI : 0.79-6.96 and 1.27, 95% CI : 0.59-2.73, respectively). In combined genotyping of CYP1A1 and GSTMI enzymes polymorphisms, the patients with Val/Val ad GSTM1(-), and m1/m21 and GSTM1(-) combined genotypes had higher relative risks than the patients with each base genotype of combined genotypes (Odds ratio : 4.57, 95% CI : 0.5-41.25 and 1.65, 95% CI L 0.73-3.77, respectively). These results sugget the combined genotyping of metabolizing enzymes could be useful for predicting individual genetic susceptibility and screening the high risk subpopulation to head and neck cancer in Korea.