• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.713-722
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• 1995

Background: Chest X-ray of coal workers' pneumoconiosis and shipyard welders' lung show similar and regular opacities mostly, it is very difficult that we distinguish the former from the latter by only chest X-ray. so we performed this study to understand the progression of the disease and to provide the disease by considering pulmonary function and other factors in proportion to the profusion of small regular opacities of chest X-ray in both groups. Method: 430 coal workers' pneumoconiosis were compared with 311 shipyard welders' lung by the number, the age, the duration of dust exposure, %vital capacity(%VC), %FEV1.0, the type of ventilatory impairment, the combined pulmonary disease according to the profusion of small regular opacities on the chest radiographs, which were classified into category 0/1, category 1, and category 2. Result: 1) the percent of category 2 in coal workers' pneumoconiosis was 54.4%. the percent of category 1, and category 2 in welders' lung were 60.0%, 7.4%. the progression to the category 2 was higher in coal workers' pneumoconiosis than in welders' lung 2) The mean age was higher in coal workers' pneumoconiosis than in welders' lung, significantly increased in proportion to the progresion of profusion of small regular opacities in both groups 3) There was no difference in the duration of dust exposure by category 1/0, but the duration of dust exposure by category 1, 2 in coal workers' pneumoconiosis more significantly increased than in welders' lung. the duration in the proportion of category 2 to category 0/1, 1 significantly increased in the proportion to small regular opacities in coal workers' pneumoconiosis. but there was no significant difference in the proportion to small regular opacities in duration of dust exposure in welders' lung. 4) There was no significant difference of mean values of %VC(%vital capacity)in both groups except for category 1. the mean values of %VC had no relationship between the progression of small regular opacities in both groups. 5) The mean values of %FEV1.0 decreased more significantly in coal workers' pneumoconiosis than in welders' lung except for category 0/1. and decreased significantly in proportion to the profusion of small regular opacities in coal workers' pneumoconiosis. there was significant difference of %FEV1.0 in the proportion of category 2 to category 011 in welders' lung. 6) there were no significant difference of %FEV1.0, %VC in smoker and nonsmoker in both groups. 7) With regard to the type of ventilation in both groups in coal workers' pneumoconiosis 21.4 percent of patients belonged to the restrictive type, 11.6 percent to the obstructive type, 5.6 percent to the combined type, but in welders' lung 21.8 percent to the restrictive type, 2.9 percent to the obstructive type, 1.9 percent to the combined type. 8. in the pulmonary disease, the incidence of the pulmonary tuberculosis was the most in both groups, was more in coal workers' pneumoconiosis than welders' lung Conclusion: If we compare coal workers' pneumoconiosis with electric arc welders'lung by considering pulmonary function and other factors in proportion to the profusion of chest X-ray, I think that we will have the better result in understanding the progression of the disease and provision of the disease in both groups.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.3 s.54
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• pp.471-482
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• 1996

Early recognition of coalescence in pneumoconiotic lesions is important because such coalescence is associated with the respiratory symptoms and deterioration of lung function. This complicated form of pneumoconiosis also has worse prognosis than does simple pneumoconiosis. High resolution computerized tomography(HRCT) provides significant additional information on the stage of the pneumoconiosis because it easily detects coalescence of nodules and emphysema that may not be apparent on the simple radiograph. The purpose of this study is to clarify the role of HRCT in detection of large opacity and the relationship of change between the coalescence of nodules or emphysema and lung function in dust exposed workers. 1. There was good correlation between the HRCT grade of pneumoconiosis and ILO category of profusion. 5(9.09%) in 55 study population had confluent nodule extending eve, two o, more cuts on HRCT. HRCT could identify the pneumoconiotic nodules which was not found by simple radiogrphy in 6 workers with category 0/0. 2. No significant difference was observed coalescence of nodules and emphysema by dust type. 3. There was no significant difference in pulmonary function according to ILO and HRCT classification. 4. HRCT could detect the significant reduction in $FEV_1,\;FEV_1/FVC$, PEFR, $FEF_{25},\;FEF_{50},\;and\;FEF_{75}$ and remarkable increase in RV and TLC in study persons with emphysema compared with non-emphysema group. 5. Emphysema was found more often in nodules-coalescence group than small opacity group by HRCT. We found that HRCT could easily detect areas of coalescence and complicated emphysema compared to plain chest X-ray. Also our data suggest that it is primarily the degree of emphysema rather than the degree of pneumoconiosis that determines the level of pulmonary function.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.2
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• pp.150-154
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• 2011

We report a case of Caplan's Syndrome, which presented as multiple pulmonary nodules. A 58-year-old male was admitted to hospital due to multiple pulmonary nodules. In addition, the patient presented with multiple arthritis, and dyspnea on exertion. Rheumatoid arthritis had been diagnosed 35 years ago. The patient had worked as a stonemason for 20 years. Computed Tomography (CT) revealed numerous well-defined tiny nodules scattered in both lungs, which was suspicious of miliary tuberculosis or malignancy. The patient was started on antituberculous medications and referred to our hospital. First, a transbronchial lung biopsy was performed, which showed no evidence of granuloma. It was our opinion that the biopsy was insufficient, and a follow-up video-associated thoracoscopy was performed. The pathological report determined necrotizing granulomatous inflammation and silicosis on background. According to imaging studies, pathologic reports, and clinical symptoms, we concluded that the patient had Caplan's syndrome. We controlled his rheumatic medications, and instructed him to avoid exposure to hazardous dust.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.817-823
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• 1999

Background: The prevalence of allergic disease has increased substantially over the past decades. The reasons for these trends are complex but include increased environmental allergen exposure. Environmental control measures are of particular importance in the prevention and management of allergic disease. Thus, we purposed to evaluate the changes of causative allergens in allergic patients in Chonbuk provincial area that began industralized recently. Method: To evaluate the allergens epidemiologically, we performed skin prick tests and RAST in 201 allergic patients from February, 1984 to February, 1985 and 339 patients from February, 1997 to February, 1998. Results: The Following results were obtained. 1) Total sensitization rates did not change significantly(74.2% vs 75.8%, p=0.664). 2) Positive reaction rates to pollens were similar(35.8% vs 30.1%, p=0.17). 3) Positive rates to HDM(house dust mite) were decreased(66.1% vs 56.3%, p=0.02). 4) Positive rates to fungi and animal danders were decreased significantly(p<0.001). Conclusion : Environmental allergens associated with hygine in Chonbuk provincial areas such as HDM and fungi are decreased significantly during 13 years.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.182-189
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• 1996

Background : RANTES is associated with chemotaxis and activation of eosinophils. RANTES is up-regulated in allegic inflammation and play a critical role in the pathogenesis of allegic inflammation. Recently, circulating form of RANTES have been identified in the peripheral blood. Method : In the present study, we measured soluble RANTES levels in 17 patients with atopic brochial asthma (8 patients: early response to allegen challenge, 8 patients : early and late response to allergen challenge) on 30mins, 2hrs and 8 hrs after allergen challenge with house dust mite, prechallenge period. Result : RANTES levels in sera from patients with bronchial astma in prechallenge conditions were higher than in normal control subjects. But, RANTES levels in sera from patients with bronchial asthma in 30mins, 2hrs and 8hrs after challenge were no significantly higher than prechallenge conditions. Conclusion : These results suggest that RANTES plays a role in the pathogenesis of patients with atopic bronchial asthma and may be related to persistence of subclinical allergic inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2014

Orb-web spiders can be considered as an effective bio-indicative animal to monitor the ecological air pollution of certain habitat since they have limited shifting ability during their life spans. In this study we revealed the fine structural characteristics of booklung in the orb-web spider Nephila clavata, and its bio-indicative significance in the monitoring environmental asbestos exposure. The high resolution scanning electron microscopy results suggest that the cuticular spikes near the atrium could be act as an effective filtering structure for dust materials. Furthermore, inner cuticular spikes which protruded across the air sacs, have the functions not only sustaining appropriate respiratory volume of each air sac but also help to enhance respiratory capacity by maximizing the gross surface area for gas exchange. Interestingly, in spite of short exposure, the asbestose fibrils were effectively captured on the surface of the atrial cuticular spikes. Furthermore, histologic damages were observed due to penetration of asbestos fibrils through air sacs and fixed on the hemolymph space. In addition, although accumulated mass of hemocytes were observed near the fibrils, there were no asbestos bodies or coagulated hemocytes were found on the surface of the fibrils, This could be mainly due to the short exposure period towards asbestos. Briefly, these results indicate the spider's booklung could be valuable tool in the detection ecological air pollutants.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.121-128
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• 2005

Economic animal husbandry workers exposed to organic dust can be suffered from immunologic disorders. Our study was to determine immunological parameters related with occurrence of respiratory allergic diseases to animal husbandry workers in Korea for the first time. Peripheral blood were obtained from twenty-five pig barn workers, forty-nine chicken farming workers and fifty-one non-agricultural control workers. Significantly upregulated plasma IgE level was observed with pig-barn workers than that of chicken farming workers or healthy community control subjects. Furthermore, level of histamine, a hallmark of allergy induction, was upregulated in the pig and chicken farming workers in comparison with that of the control subjects. Downregulation of $IFN_\gamma$ and $TNF_{\alpha}$ production from T cells was apparent in the animal husbandry workers compared with the control subjects. Meanwhile, T cells collected from the pig barn workers demonstrated significantly higher production of IL-4 and IL-10 than the other groups. There were also alterations in IgG subclass distribution. In conclusion, immunological modulation probably leading to occupational allergic diseases can be occurred in the economic animal husbandry workers and the pig barn workers could be the most risky group to the work-related allergic disease.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.711-722
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to analyzed child care teachers' health state and a relationship between health promoting lifestyle and job stress of child care teachers. The subjects were 101 child care teachers in Busan. They responded to 'health state open ended question', 'health promoting lifestyle scale', and 'job stress scale'. For the analysis of the data, M(SD), frequencies, t-test, Pearson's correlation were run by using SPSS WIN computer program. The major findings of this study were as follows; First, the most uncomfortable symptoms of child care teacher's physical health state was respiratory organs and the main cause was classroom ventilation and dust. The most uncomfortable symptoms of child care teacher's mental health state was tension and the main cause was children's safety. Second, the mean scores of the variables were as follows : the mean score of health promoting lifestyle was 2.54. The highest sub factor of health promoting lifestyle was 'positive self recognition' and the lowest one was 'exercising'. The mean score of job stress was 2.80 and the highest sub factor was 'administration services'. They desire for a healthy life, but in reality, they are unsatisfied with their current health state and they are not able to practice certain actions actively to promote their health. Third, health promoting lifestyle was negatively correlated with job stress. The result of this study can be used as the basic data for reducing day care teacher's job stress, development of a program to promote day care teacher's health and improving day care teachers working environment.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2001

This study was performed to evaluate a local exhaust ventilation system capability and welding fume concentration in welding laboratory at 5 technical high schools. Results of the study are as follows; 1. The personal exposure of welding fume in welding laboratory was measured. The geometric mean of 73 personal samples was $6.27mg/m^3$($3.85{\sim}9.88mg/m^3$), and 68.5% of these exceeded TLV of the Korea Ministry of Labor. 2. The geometric mean of welding fume at outside of booth was $2.27mg/m^3$($1.57{\sim}2.58mg/m^3$). All of measured concentrations were lower than TLV of the Korea Ministry of Labor. 3. Local exhaust ventilation system in welding laboratory could not remove hazardous substance effectively because of inappropriate canopy hood and absurd design. 4. The possibility of exposure risk was estimated to be high because of working point under breathing zone, misplacement of working table and insufficient supply of respiratory protector. 5. The mean values of capture velocity and transportation velocity of local exhaust ventilation system in welding laboratory were 0.38m/sec, 4.27m/sec respectively. These values were satisfied the guideline of the Korea Ministry of Labor. 6. The efficiency of performance of local ventilation system was anticipated to be decreased because of accumulated dust and alien substance on fan and duct.