• Title/Summary/Keyword: US health system

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Gene Expression Analysis of Methotrexate-induced Hepatotoxicity between in vitro and in vivo

  • Jung, Jin-Wook;Kim, Seung-Jun;Kim, Jun-Sup;Park, Joon-Suk;Yeom, Hye-Jung;Kim, Ji-Hoon;Her, Young-Sun;Lee, Yong-Soon;Kang, Jong-Soo;Lee, Gyoung-Jae;Kim, Yang-Seok;Kang, Kyung-Sun;Hwang, Seung-Yong
    • Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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    • v.1 no.4
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    • pp.256-261
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    • 2005
  • The recent DNA microarray technology enables us to understand gene expression profiling in cell line and animal models. The technology has potential possibility to comprehend mechanism of multiple genes were related to compounds which have toxicity in biological system. So, microarray system has been used for the prediction of toxicity through gene expression induced by toxicants. It has been shown that compounds with similar toxic mechanisms produce similar changes in gene expression in vivo system. Here we focus on the use of toxicogenomics for the determination of gene expression analysis associated with hepatotoxicity in rat liver and cell line (WB-F344). Methotrexate (MTX) is a chemotherapy agent that has been used for many years in the treatment of cancer because it affects cells that are rapidly dividing. Also it has been known the toxicity of MTX, in a MTX abortion, it stops embryonic cells from dividing and multiplying and is a non-surgical method of ending pregnancy in its early stages. We have shown DNA microarray analyses to assess MTX-specific expression profiles in vivo and in vitro. Male Sprague-Dawely VAF+ albino rats of 5-6 weeks old and WB-F344 cell line have been treated with MTX. Total RNA was isolated from Rat liver and cell line that has treated with MTX. 4.8 K cDNA microarray in house has been used for gene expression profiling of MTX treatment. We have found quite distinct gene expression patterns induced by MTX in a cell line and in vivo system.

Research trends in outdoor pig production - A review

  • Park, Hyun-Suk;Min, Byungrok;Oh, Sang-Hyon
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.30 no.9
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    • pp.1207-1214
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    • 2017
  • Since the industrialization of swine production in the late 1900s, swine farms in the United States, as well as in Europe, have largely become consolidated. Pig farms became larger in size but fewer in number, with 91% of market pigs being produced by large operations with 5,000 or more pigs on-site in the US, and only 3% of the total utilized agricultural land representing organic farming. Such change in the market made it difficult for small farmers to stay competitive, forcing them to find alternative ways to reduce the cost of production and increase profit using the outdoor production system. In contrast to the indoor confinement system, outdoor production system uses pasture-based units and/or deep-bedded hoop structures that promote animal welfare and environmental sustainability with a lower capital investment. In accord with the growing concern for animal and environmental welfare and food safety by the consumers, small farmers practicing an outdoor production system are seeing increased opportunities for marketing their products in the pork niche market. Unlike the general belief that the reproductive and growth performance measures of the outdoor sows and piglets are poorer in comparison with the animals reared indoors, studies showed that there was no significant difference in the performance measures, and some traits were even better in outdoor animals. Improved reproductive and production traits can increase the sustainability of outdoor farming. Present study reviewed the recent studies comparing the performance measures, meat quality and health of indoor and outdoor animals, as well as the efforts to improve the outdoor production system through changes in management such as hut types and breed of animals.

Design and Implementation of an OSGi-based Old Age Patient Care System in Embedded Programming on RFIDs and Infrared Sensors (RFID와 적외선 센서의 임베디드 프로그래밍을 통한 OSGi 기반 노령 환자 케어 시스템의 설계 및 구현)

  • Cha, Si-Ho;Kim, Dae-Young;Choi, Jae-Ho;Lee, Jong-Eon;Kim, Kyu-Ho;Cho, Kuk-Hyun
    • The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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    • v.33 no.11B
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    • pp.1005-1012
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    • 2008
  • According to an aging population has dramatically increased in over the world, silver care becomes more important than other field. In this paper, we design and implement an old age patient care system that allows a carer to instantly monitor the status of proteges and notifies emergency of a patient to a medical institute. The system uses RFIDs and infrared sensors implemented in embedded software to analyze the activity and movement detection of the elderly. And the home gateway allows easy integration with heterogeneous devices by employing OSGi that is a middleware standard for home gateways. We can verify the information on the activity per day and the activity per week by Web browsers and view realtime video on the elderly by Web Cam using the implemented system. The system also can send us cell phone messages and E-mail in case of emergency.

A Study on Developing a Model for Cancer Damage Cost Due to Risk from Benzene in Ulsan Metropolitan City (울산 지역에서 대기중 벤젠으로 인한 암 사망 손실비용 추정 모형에 관한 연구)

  • Lee, Yong-Jin;Kim, Ye-Shin;Shin, Dong-Chun;Shin, Young-Chul
    • Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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    • v.13 no.1
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    • pp.49-82
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    • 2004
  • The study aimed to evaluate cancer damage cost due to risk from benzene inhalation. We performed health risk assessment based on US EPA guideline to estimate annual population risk in Ulsan metropolitan city. Also, we estimated a willingness-to-pay amount for reducing a cancer mortality rate to evaluate a value of statistical life. We combined the annual population risk and the value of statistical life to calculate the cancer damage cost. In the health risk assessment, we applied the benzene unit risk ($2.2{\times}10^{-6}{\sim}7.8{\times}10^{-6}$) in the US EPA'S Integrated Risk Information System to assess the annual population risk. Average concentration of benzene in ambient air is $7.88{\mu}g/m^3$(min: 1.16~max: $23.32{\mu}g/m^3$). We targeted an exposure population of 516,641 persons who aged over 30 years old. Using a Monte-Carlo simulation for uncertainty analysis, we evaluated that the population risk of benzene during ten years in Ulsan city is 2.90 persons (5 percentile: 0.32~95 percentile: 9.11persons). And the monthly average WTP for 5/1,000 cancer mortality reduction during ten years is 14,852 Won(95% C.I: 13,135~16,794 Won) and the implied VSL is 36 million Won(95% C.I: 30~40 million Won). Cancer damage cost due to risk from benzene inhalation during 10 years in Ulsan city is about 104 million Won(5 percentile: 13~95 percentile: 328 million Won). Health benefit cost to reduce a cancer mortality risk of benzene is about 50 million Won is Ulsan metropolitann city. But, it is very important that this cost is not for all health damage cost of cancer mortality in some area. We just recommended a model for evaluating a cancer risk reduction, so we must re-evaluate an integrated application of total VOCs damage cost including benzene.

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Brief Review on Exposure Characteristics, Monitoring Instruments and Threshold Limit Values for Extremely Low Frequency-Magnetic Field (ELF-MF) (직업성 극저주파 자기장 노출평가와 노출 기준에 대한 쟁점 고찰)

  • Dong-Uk, Park;Seunghee, Lee;Kyung Ehi, Zoh
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.32 no.4
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    • pp.381-392
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    • 2022
  • Objectives: Objective of this study is to review briefly exposure characteristics, monitoring instruments and threshold limit values for extremely low frequency-magnetic field (ELF-MF) methods. This study was undertaken through brief literature review. We performed a literature search in PubMed to identify ELF-MF studies conducted in workplaces. Initial search keywords such as 'extremely low frequency-magnetic field (ELF-MF)' and 'electromagnetic fields (EMF)' combined or singly. We limited our review to occupational rather than general nonworkplace environmental exposures. Methods: The contents we reviewed: key industry and occupations generating ELF-MF, several direct-reading instruments monitoring ELF-MF and threshold limit values (TLV) preventing health effects may be caused by the exposure to ELF-MF. Results: The industries related to the generation and supply of electricity, electrolytic installations, welding, and induction heating and more were regarded as high ELF-MF exposure industries. All jobs handling or employed performed in power cable lines, electrical wiring, and electrical equipment are found to be exposed to ELF-MF. Threshold or ceiling limit, 1,000 µT, is established to prevent acute effects of exposure to low-frequency EMFs on the nervous system: the direct stimulation of nerve and muscle tissues and the induction of retinal phosphenes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified ELF-MF as possibly carcinogenic to humans chiefly based on epidemiological studies on childhood leukemia. However, a causal relationship between magnetic fields and several types of cancer including childhood leukemia has not been established nor has any other long-term effects. Risk management using precautionary measures, has been initiated by the US and EU to prevent chronic health effects related to ELF-MF exposure in workplaces. Conclusion: This study recommends the implementation of various measures such as theestablishment of occupational exposure limit values for ELF-MF and precautionary principle to prevent potential chronic occupational health effects may be caused by ELF-MF in Korea.

Health Improvement and Treatment Effect of Probiotics (프로바이오틱스의 건강증진과 질병치료 효능)

  • Baek, Young-Mi;Kim, Kyung-Soon;Lee, Yeon-Weol;Cho, Chong-Kwan;Yoo, Hwa-Seung
    • Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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    • v.19 no.1
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    • pp.25-34
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    • 2010
  • Background : The human being and the bacteria have accomplished a balance and have coexisted each other during long time. Probiotics have evolved with the human host to exist and the result they have operated profitably to human host. So it requires that the functions of probiotics are expounded in view of Traditional Korean Medicine. Aim : Suggest the functions of probiotics in view of Traditional Korean Medicine. Method : The author's research has been performed to review the related references. Results : Probiotics assist the absorption of the lactose, proteins and minerals and product several kinds of vitamins, organic acids. Probiotics suppresses the growth of noxious bacteria and the production of harmful substances or gases. They absorbed and discharge the bile acid, and thus help us maintain the optimal level of blood cholesterol concentration. They can reinforce the immune response of the mucous membrane and control the hypersensitivity immune reaction such as asthma, atopy on the other hand. Probiotics have right functions as above and so can be applied widely in treatment of various disease and symptom. Conclusion : Considering the functions of probiotics in view of Traditional Korean Medicine, they participate in our spleen-earth-system (digestion and synthesis) and liver-wood-system (regulation of digestion, metabolism, internal secretion etc.), assist the function of lung-metal system(respiration and regulation of water metabolism) and regulate wi-chi (reinforce/control immune system). Consequently, hereafter there would be a necessity of control a circumstance in treatment of various diseases under these categories that probiotics should be able to do their right functions inside the human body.

A Study on Safety Management System for Shipbuilding Industry (조선업 사업장의 안전관리 시스템 구축에 관한 연구)

  • Choi, Jeong-Woo;Yoo, Jin-Hwan;Kim, Hyun-Joon;Seo, Jae-Min;Kim, Seong-Bin;Yoon, Kee-Bong
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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    • v.23 no.6
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    • pp.14-20
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    • 2008
  • A large number of accidents have been occurred in the domestic shipbuilding industry. Its number of accidents is approximately twice than that of manufacturing industry and three times larger than that of whole industry in general. There are several reasons that make it hard to control the accidents. First, it is because the shipbuilding industry is composed of many subcontractors who may need improvement in safety education and safety management. Second, the shipyard environments are exposed to lots of hazards such as high elevation works, isolated workspaces, heavyweight and huge structures/components. Last, the shipbuilding industry has grown too rapidly in a short period. For that reason, the safety management standards and safety consciousness could not catch up the speed of its development. In this study, it is suggested to use a more efficient and easier way to conduct safety management using a web-based safety management system for the shipbuilding industry. This system is composed of four main parts, which is available for self-auditing with legal support. Those are checklists based safety and health evaluation, safety inspection, user shared accident database and user shared bulletin board. It is expected that this system can help us to reduce risks in the shipbuilding industry considerably.

The Design for Self-care System Based on RFID (RFID를 이용한 Self-care System 설계)

  • Xiao, Huang;Zhou, Kun-Peng;Jin, Woo-Jeong;Cho, Yong-Soon;Jung, Hoe-Kyung
    • Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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    • 2010.05a
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    • pp.879-881
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    • 2010
  • For the rapid development of society, such as small family, one-people family is following. The traditional family is being changed, so the older stay home alone. That makes it more and more. Staying home alone, the older's health and safety are worth considering by us. With the rapid development of RFIDRadio Frequency Identification) technology, its applications have extended to all areas of our lifes. RFIDRadio Frequency Identification) has became a major topic of concern in multi-industry. With the high-speed economic growth and the development of science, medicine, the old people's life expectancy is increasing slightly. So it is necessary to design a protective system for the older's safety. In this thesis, self-care system is made by using RFID(Radio Frequency Identification) technology to authenticate an user and using TTS(test to speech) to convert character information to voice information and also using infrared radiation technology to protect home effectively, and using e-blood pressure monitors to examination the older's bodies.

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Review on Risks of Perchlorate and Treatment Technologies (퍼클로레이트(Perchlorate)의 위해성과 저감기술 소개)

  • Shin, Kyung-Hee;Son, Ah-Jeong;Cha, Daniel K.;Kim, Kyoung-Woong
    • Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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    • v.29 no.9
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    • pp.1060-1068
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    • 2007
  • Perchlorate contamination in aquatic system is a growing concern due to the human health and ecological risks associated with perchlorate exposure. In spite of potential risks associated with perchlorate, drinking water standard has not been established worldwide. Recently, US EPA has issued new protective guidance for cleaning up perchlorate contamination with a preliminary clean-up goal of 24.5 ppb. In Korea, the drinking water standard and discharge standard for perchlorate has not been established yet and little information is available to address perchlorate problems. Perchlorate treatment technologies include ion exchange, microbial reactor, carbon adsorption, composting, in situ bioremediation, permeable reactive barrier, phytoremediation, and membrane technology. The process description, capability, and advantage/disadvantages of each technology were described in detail in this review. One of recent trends in perchlorate treatment is the combination of available treatment options such as combined microbial reduction and permeable reactive burier. In this review, we provided a brief perspective on perchlorate treatment technology and to identify an efficient and cost-effective approach to manage perchlorate problem.

Current Status of the Reimbursement for Pharmacist-provided Health Care Services in Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom (국외 약사서비스 지불보상체계 현황 : 일본, 미국, 영국을 중심으로)

  • Park, Ji Hyun
    • The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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    • v.22 no.6
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    • pp.712-728
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    • 2022
  • World-widely, there has never been a greater need for people to access high-quality expertise about the effective and safe use of medications. Therefore, the profession of pharmacy should meet these needs of the times, as the demographic shifts have led to a situation where older adults now outnumber children, and polypharmacy is also a commonplace. However, the reimbursement system covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI) in Korea is still limited to the traditional dispensing and compounding role of pharmacist. To provide a take-home message to Korean pharmacy reimbursement system, we aimed to review and analyze the international trends in pharmacy remuneration systems. This is a comparative study between Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Comparison was conducted by reviewing each country's policy and enforcement programs, as well as the related literature. Japan, the UK and the US systems remunerate diverse patient-centered pharmaceutical care services. The Korean pharmacy service fee is, however, narrowly focused on the traditional product-oriented pharmacy services. This study discussed the future direction of improving pharmacist reimbursement systems in Korea, by expanding professional pharmacy service coverage and diversifying fee schedule.