• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.187-187
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• 2003

Methylmercury (MeHg), one of the heavy metal compounds, can cause severe damage to the central nervous system in humans. Many reports have shown that MeHg is poisonous to human body through contaminated foods and has released into the environment. Despite many studies on the pathogenesis of MeHg-induced central neuropathy, no useful mechanism of toxicity has been established so far. In this study, two methods, cDNA Microarray and SSH, were performed to assess the expression profile against MeHg and to identify differentially expressed genes by MeHg in neuroblastoma cell line. TwinChip Human-8K (Digital Genomics) was used with total RNA from SH-SY5Y (human neuroblastoma cell line) treated with solvent (DMSO) and 6.25 uM (IC50) MeHg. And we performed forward and reverse SSH method on mRNA derived from SH-SY5Y treated with DMSO and MeHg (6.25 uM). Differentially expressed cDNA clones were sequenced and were screened by dot blot and ribonuclease protection assay to confirm that individual clones indeed represent differentially expressed genes. These sequences were identified by BLAST homology search to known genes or expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Analysis of these sequences may provide an insight into the biological effects of MeHg in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disease and a possibility to develop more efficient and exact monitoring system of heavy metals as environmental pollutants.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.309-316
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• 2010

This paper proposes healthcare bathing system for improving the multisensory function and not washing. We designed various types of bathtub for developing bathing system. This system consists of whirlpool bathtub for multisensory stimulation, a cover of bathtub with visual-auditory stimulation function, a small size PC for main control, touch panel, digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), color-changeable LED mood lighting system for improving visual sensibility and speaker. We investigate the effects on autonomic nervous system during bathing with healthcare bathing system for improving the multisensory functions. To analysis physiological parameter, body temperature, blood pressure, intraocular pressure and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured before, during and after bath using healthcare bathing system. Experiments were performed on partial immersion bath and the water temperature was kept $39{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$. The body temperature and the heart rate variability of the subject were measured every 5 minutes before, during, and after the bath. In analysis of HRV, the parasympathetic nerve increased from starting bath and decreased after 15 minutes. So the subjects felt comfortable at 15 minutes after starting bath. Blood pressure decreased to 16mmHg maximumly however pulse increased. Bath using healthcare bathing system for improving the multisensory functions affects positively the circulation of the blood. From this results, it leaves something to be desired in evaluation of serviceability and physiological analysis using the healthcare bathing system, however, we expect to analyze more clearly the relationship between the serviceability of product, physiological change and sensibility by various physiological parameters.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.94-106
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• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to find the effect of Far Infrared Radiation (FIR) about improvement of chief complaints and health state. Methods: For this study we evaluated thermographic images, heart rate variability (HRV), visual analogue scale (VAS) score of 34 patients with various diseases. Tests were done two times, before and after treatments and we compared the test results. We used the temperature difference between CV12 and CV4, both sides of PC8, LR3 for recognizing improvement of blood circulation. We analyzed the change of complexity, stability of autonomic nervous system (ANS) by HRV test. The patients were asked to fill out questionnaire about the severity of symptoms by VAS score. Analyses were undertaken using SPSS ver.12.0.1 and p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Statistical analysis shows that Far Infrared Radiation (FIR) had significant efficiency in increasing surface temperature and reducing VAS pain scores. In heart rate variability (HRV) test, LF/HF ratio showed tends to improve. Conclusions: The application of an FIR to whole body appears to alleviate various complaints of patients.

• Journal of Broadcast Engineering
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.543-549
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• 2013

Motion artifacts of central and autonomic nervous system signals degrades the performance of the bio-signal based human factor analysis. Firstly, we propose a defining method of motion artifact section by analyzing successive image frames. Motion artifact section is defined when the amount of motion is greater than the pre-defined threshold. In here, the amount of motion is estimated by first derivation of image frames at temporal domain. Secondly, we propose another defining method of motion artifact section through designing 2D Gaussian probability density function model by analyzing feature vectors of one cycle of signal such as length and amplitude. The defined motion artifact sections are interpolated on the basis of 1D Gaussian function. At result of applying the method into photoplethysmography signal, we confirmed that the calculated heartbeat rate from the restored photoplethysmography came up to the one from electrocardiography. Also, we found that the video based method generated relatively more false acceptance of motion artifact section and the probability density function based method generated relatively more false rejection of motion artifact section.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.113-120
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• 2010

This research is to evaluate the arousal level by using cardiovascular response. PPG was used in this study as one of the method of measuring it rather than ECG (Electrocardiography) for the purpose of solving ergonomic problem of sensing. The participants were in the age group of 20 (mean=24, standard deviation=1.25): five men and five women. Each experiment composed with four identical sets. First, a black screen was displayed for 30 second rest. Then, the prepared 6 pair images were randomly presented for 10 second stimulation and for 30 second non-stimulation. PPG was measured on the earlobes of experimenters at 200Hz sampling frequency. PPG amplitude, PPI(Pulse to Pulse Interval), and PRV(Pulse Rate Variability) were analyzed according to arousal level. T-test was performed to compare between the PPG variables of rest and relaxation, rest and arousal, and relaxation and arousal. Relative to the rest state, PPG amplitude decreased in relaxed state and increased in aroused state. Relative to the rest state, PPI decreased in both emotional states. However, more significant decline was observed in aroused state. PRV's LF and HF were used in the form of LF/HF to compare between the relaxed and the aroused state. Therefore, PPG signal showed significant differences between relaxed and aroused state. In conclusion, evaluation of human arousal level used in the PPG analysis demonstrated that PPG has better usability and comforter measurement than ECG and is clearly an alternative method of measuring arousal level.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.279-285
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• 1998

Exessive sweating of the palms and soles, is a psychologically and occupationally distressing and sometimes disabling condition. Hyperhidrosis is one of the common abnormalities in autonomic nervous system. There were no specific treatment on hyperhidrosis, so invasive thoracic sympathectomy via axillary thoracotomy or cervical approach had been used. Video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS) is now mostly performed for treating of the palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis. From March 1996 to March 1997, 15 patients with bilateral palmar hyperhidrosis had been treated by the bilateral thoracic sympathectomy(T2, T3, T4) with thoracoscopic resection. The patient were evaluated preoperative and postoperative Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging (DITI) at Kyung-Hee University Hospital. There were no case of the thoracotomy conversion. There were 3 complications ; pulmonary edema in 1 case, Horner's syndrome in 1 case, and gustatory hyperhidrosis in 1 case. More than half of the patients also had compensatory sweating in the lower abdomen, the buttocks, the back and the thighs. In conclusion, most of the patients were satisfied with the postoperative results of the thoracoscopic sympathectomy, including no more palmar and axillary sweating, less pain, better cosmetic appearances, decreased sweating of the face and soles. In addition, intraoperative temperature monitoring of the hands could estimate the successful thoracoscopic sympathectomy and the preoperative and postoperative Digital infrared thermographic imaging(DITI) could especially be the technique for the objective manifestation of the successful results of the thoracoscopic sympathectomy.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.95-108
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• 2021

Objective : This study aimed to develop prototypes of "smart stacking cones" by combining ICT to evaluate and train the upper extremity function and dual task performance in patients with central nervous system impairment, and to identify the complementary point to the completion of the device through a usability test. Methods : This prototype comprised of a hardware and software system that enabled the evaluation and training of patients and the management of data obtained from patients' performance. Specific measurement variables were established so that patient performance could be measured correctly. Based on the measurement variables, a the prototype included a 'single task evaluation modes', 'dual task evaluation mode', 'single task training mode', and 'dual task training modes'. Additionally, a usability test was conducted to assess clinical applicability and overall satisfaction for the prototype. Results : The results of the usability test were generally found to be appropriate. The 'content adequacy' in the usability test was the area with the highest level of adequacy and the lowest level of inadequacy. Additionally, overall 'satisfaction' in the usability test was the area with the highest appropriate and inappropriate levels. Hence, the overall satisfaction results were unstable. Conclusion : Future studies should be conducted to identify the clinical effectiveness of the device by applying an upgraded smart stacking cone to an actual patient group.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1491-1496
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• 2009

Stroke is usually associated with the cerebral blood flow of the central nervous system. However, studies concerning the effects of neurologic sysmptoms induced from stroke on the peripheral blood flow has not taken place sufficiently. To ascertain the feasibility of a blood flow meter adopting to use doppler ultrasonogrphy, under the prospect that hemiparesis induced from stroke may have effect on the peripheral blood flow, the peripheral blood flow velocity was observed. The control group made up of healthy people without any factors capable of effecting the peripheral blood flow velocity, and patient group which consist of hemiparetic people induced from stroke, were recruited. Volumes of recruitment are 21 persons in the patient group, and 29 persons in the control group, but the final numbers of people are 17 and 21 respectively because of the inconsistancy in the method of the test. The non-invasive method of Doppler effect of Ultrasound was used to measure the blood flow velocity. The blood flow velocity in the peripheral part of left and right fourth fingers:dorsal branches of proper palmar digital artery to dorsum of distal phalanges, was measured in the control group and patient group through Doppler Ultrasound. In comparison of the control group and the patient group, the systolic blood flow velocity from the peripheral part of the upper extremity was lower in the patient group than that of the control group. According to such results, it is concluded that hemiparesis induces the reduction of the peripheral blood flow velocity in the systolic phase.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.242-252
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• 2022

Objectives: Firefighters and police officers are exposed to various occupational hazards. No studies in Korea have investigated the occurrence of cancer by type of cancer for the two occupations. This study aims to investigate the risk of occurrences associated with types of cancers in firefighters and police officers. Methods: Utilizing National Health Insurance(NHI) Claims data from 2006-2015, the study included 8,871,468 general workers, 25,001 firefighters, and 102,274 police officers. Using general workers as a control group, we calculated the standardized incidence ratios(SIR) by types of cancer for firefighters and police officers. After calculating the SIR for all subjects, the SIR was calculated by stratifying according to gender. Results: SIR of colon cancer 1.38(95% CI, 1.11-1.69), cancer of the liver and intrahepatic bile ducts 1.27(95% CI, 1.04-1.54), and 1.88(95% CI, 1.28-2.65) bladder cancer were higher firefighters than general workers. SIR of Lip, oral cavity, and pharynx 1.26(95% CI, 1.07-1.47), Stomach 1.14(95% CI, 1.06-1.23), colon 1.33(95% CI, 1.21-1.46), liver and intrahepatic bile ducts 1.21(95% CI, 1.10-1.32), pancreas 1.24(95% CI, 1.02-1.49), other skin 1.60(95% CI, 1.26-2.00), bladder 1.27(95% CI, 1.04-1.54), other urinary tract 1.46(95% CI, 1.27-1.68), other parts of central nervous system 1.68(95% CI, 1.10-2.46) were higher police officers than general workers. Conclusions: Both firefighters and police officers are exposed to various cancer occurrence risks, necessitating the development of occupational medical protection measures to reduce risk exposure factors.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.121-128
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• 2010

This study is to analyze change of connectivity between brain positions caused by relaxation through EEG coherence. EEG spectrum analysis method has been used to analyze brain activity when relaxation was experienced. However, the spectrum analysis method has a limit that could not observe interactive reaction between brain-functional positions. Therefore, coherence between positions was analyzed to observe connectivity between the measurement positions in this study. Through the method, the reaction of the central nervous system caused by the emotion change was observed. Twenty-four undergraduates of both genders(12 males and 12 females) were asked to close their eyes and listen to the sound. During experiment, EEG was measured at eight positions. The eight positions were F3, F4, T3, T4, P3, P4, O1, and O2 in accordance with International 10-20 system. The sounds with white noise and without were used for relaxation experience. Subjective emotion was measured to verify whether or not they felt relaxation. Subjective emotion of participants were analyzed by ANOVA method(Analysis of Variance). In the result, it was proved that relaxation was subjectively evoked when participants heard sound. Accordingly, it was proved that relaxation could be enhanced by the mixed white noise. EEG coherence between the measurement positions was analyzed. T-test was performed to find its significant difference between relaxation and not-relaxation. In the results of EEG coherence, connectivity with occipital lobes has been increased with relaxation, and connectivity with parietal lobes has been increased with non-relaxed state. Therefore, brain connectivity has shown different pattern between relaxed emotion and non-relaxed emotion.