• Title/Summary/Keyword: harmful environments

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Effects of Esculetin on TNF-α Induced MMP-1 Expression in Human Fibroblasts Hs68 (인간섬유아세포 Hs68에서 esculetin이 TNF-α로 유도된 MMP-1 발현에 미치는 효과)

  • Bo Hee Jeon;Yong Min Kim
    • Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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    • v.54 no.1
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    • pp.1-8
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    • 2023
  • The skin is an important barrier that protects the body from harmful environments such as UV rays. When the skin is repeatedly stimulated, such as UV rays, ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines are overproduced. As a result, the proteins and nucleic acids that make up the skin are damaged, and aging occurs. Esculetin is known to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and UV-induced MMP-1 inhibitory effects. However, the inhibitory effect of MMP-1 on TNF-α-induced fibroblasts is not known. Therefore, in this study, the MMP-1 inhibitory effect of esculetin was confirmed in TNF-α-induced fibroblasts. As a result of confirming the cytotoxicity of esculetin in Hs68 cells by MTT assay, there was no significant toxicity up to 200 µM. As a result of real-time PCR and ELISA, it was confirmed that esculetin inhibited the expression of MMP-1. Esculetin did not inhibit MAPK (ERK, JNK, p38) phosphorylation, but inhibited phosphorylation of the mTOR-p70S6k signaling pathway. In addition, it was confirmed that the phosphorylation of the transcription factor NF-κB was inhibited. These results suggest that esculetin has potential as an anti-aging material.

Recognition of Occupational Accidents related Multiple Sclerosis and Its Implications (다발성 경화증의 업무상 재해 인정과 그 시사점 : 대법원 2017. 8. 29. 선고 2015두3867 판결을 중심으로)

  • Jeon, Byeong-Joo
    • The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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    • v.17 no.10
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    • pp.559-566
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    • 2017
  • Despite the government operating various preventive programs to ward off accidents and diseases on business sites, diseases rates are not decreasing, unlike accident rates. In many cases, diseases caused by work have a latent period before symptoms appear or progress over a longer term, making it difficult for workers to prove the causal relation between their work and the diseases. Moreover, data related to the business site are mostly owned by the employer. Even if the employee has access to parts of such data, his lack of medical expertise limits his ability to identify the characteristics of the diseases and how it appears. In August, 2017 the Supreme Court did an about-face with its ruling on the case involving diseases caused by exposure to harmful substances in work environments, by easing the burden of proof on the employees. As such, this study focuses on the case to analyze cases involving diseases that have occurred in work environments and present their implications. In doing so, the study seeks to provide a basic set of data that can help secure the employees' labor rights and rights to health by complementing the current law in relation to recognizing industrial incidents caused by rare diseases and making work environments safer for employees.

A Survey on the Present State of Occurrence of Safety Accidents and Safety and Health Management Levels Among Swine Farmers (양돈 농가의 안전사고 발생현황 및 안전보건 관리수준)

  • Kim, Kyung-Ran;Kim, Insoo;Kim, Hyo-Cher;Lee, Kyung-Suk;Chae, Hye-Seon
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.40 no.5
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    • pp.413-424
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    • 2014
  • Objectives: The purpose of this study was to seek measures for improvement and management of farm work safety and health by conducting questionnaire surveys and on-site investigations to ascertain the present state of occurrence of safety accidents and safety and health management levels among swine farmers. In particular, the purpose of this study is to provide basic data for the establishment of measures for the management of safety and health suitable to the characteristics of related working environments. Methods: Questionnaire surveys were conducted among 223 farmers engaged in swine farming in 14 regions, and 10 farms were visited in order to implement multilateral methods, including in-depth interviews, along with field surveys. Results: The surveys indicated that 26.2% of all respondents experienced farm-work related safety accidents and body-reaction related accidents showed a high ratio at 31.1% of all respondents. With regard to cause materials of safety accidents, work other than that directly related to swine raising showed high ratios of safety accidents, with pigsty facility related accidents at 26.6%. Although most workers recognized the dangers latent in the working environments, their behavior and responses to the prevention of safety accidents were still insufficient due to a lack of understanding of safety and health management. In the survey on the present state of personal hygiene and wearing of protective equipment, workers were found to have been exposed to dangerous and harmful environments both inside and outside pigsties, but the actual states of their wearing protective safety equipment were very poor. Conclusion: Given the results of this study, swine farmers well recognize problems in their control of safety accidents and management of safety and health, but their knowledge about safety and health education and management guidelines was insufficient. Therefore, safety and health education, public relations, and customized personal protective equipment suitable for swine raising work should be developed in order to address the foregoing problem.

Sulfate Reduction in the Marine Environments: Its Controlling Factors and Relative Significance in Mineralization of Organic Matter (해양환경의 황산염 환원율 조절요인 및 유기물 분해에 있어 황산염 환원의 중요성)

  • 현정호;이홍금;권개경
    • The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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    • v.8 no.2
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    • pp.210-224
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    • 2003
  • Sulfate reduction is a microbiological process which occurs ubiquitously in anaerobic marine environment. Sulfate reducing bacteria play a significant role in anaerobic decomposition of organic matter and regeneration of inorganic nutrients which supports the primary production in the water column (i.e., benthic-pelagic coupling) and, in special case, could be responsible for the harmful algal bloom in the coastal marine environment. Summary of the sulfate reduction rates reported in various marine sedimentary environments revealed that supply of organic substrates and presence of various electron acceptors (i.e., $O_2$, NO$_{3}$$^{[-10]}$ , Fe(III) and Mn(IV), etc.) for other aerobic and anaerobic respiration directly affect the sulfate reduction rate and relative significance of sulfate reduction in organic matter mineralization. Significance of temperature, macrophytes and bioturbation is discussed as factors controlling supply of organic substrates and distribution of electron acceptors. Finally, we suggest studies on the anaerobic microbiological processes associated with biogeochemical element cycles in the coastal environments of Korea where massive operation of organic enriched fish cage farm, frequent occurrence of toxic algal bloom and hypoxia and conservation of tidal flat are of major environmental issues.

A Studs on Farmers Syndrome and Its Risk Factors of Vinylhouse Workers and Evaluation of Risk Factors of Vinylhouse Works (일부 농촌지역 비닐하우스 농사자들의 작업환경 및 농부증 실태와 관련요인평가)

  • Lee, Jung-Jeung
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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    • v.29 no.1
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    • pp.101-119
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    • 2004
  • Objectives: In order to estimate risk factors affecting the health of vinylhouse workers and harmful environments in vinylhouse working. Methods: The investigator performed questionnaires and laboratory examinations on 102 vinylhouse workers and 69 farmers in 7 myoens (Korean subcounties). one eup (a Korean town), Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do between April 8 and 18, 2004 (for 11 days), and measured the heavy metal in the air and the soil, temperature, humidity, air current, harmful gases in vinylhouses. Results: Even in cloudy days, the temperature in vinylhouses in daylight was $33.4^{\circ}$ and the temperature difference between inside and outside vinylhouses was around $16^{\circ}$. Oxygen concentration was similar inside and outside vinylhouses, while carbon dioxide concentration was lower inside than outside vinylhouses. Carbon monoxide was not detected. In the air inside vinylhouses, cadmium was not detected. Lean concentration in the soil was lower inside vinylhouses than outside vinylhouses at surface, while cadmium concentration was similar inside and outside vinylhouses in the soil except some areas. Out of male vinylhouse workers. 16.4---- were positive farmer's syndrome and 49.2---- were suspicious, while out of females, 41.5---- were positive and 46.3---- were suspicious. Out of male farmers, 30.4---- were positive farmer's syndrome, while out of female farmers, 60.0---- were positive and 28.3---- were suspicious. There was no difference between vinylhouse workers and farmers in the distribution of hypertension and abnormal liver function, while diabetes mellitus was more common in farmers than in vinylhouse workers. Vinylhouse working, sex, and hours of farming per day were selected as significant variables affecting farmer's syndrome in this study, and the rate of positive farmer's syndrome was rather lower in vinylhouse workers than in farmers. Females were higher than males in the rate, and those who farmed at least 10 hours per day were higher in the rate than those who farmed less than 10 hours per day. Out of the vinylhouse workers, no differences were found between the distribution of farmer's syndrome and farming-related variables such as the total period of farming, the size of farm land, the mean farming hours per day, the number of family members who farm together, the frequency of scattering agricultural chemicals. In addition, there were no differences between the distribution and the wearing masks and protectors and personal sanitation among those who scattered agricultural chemicals by themselves. There were no differences found in blood lean concentration, urinary cadmium concentration, serum cholinesterase, and hemoglobin according to the distribution of farmer's syndrome. In the vinylhouse workers, females were higher than males in the rate of farmer's syndrome, and those who farmed at least 10 hours per day were higher in the rate than those who farmed less than 10 hours per day. Meanwhile, the rate was lower in those who slept at least 8 hours a day than in those who slept less than 8 hours. Conclusions: In conclusion, the physical environments inside vinylhouses were harmful, but no significant difference was found in harmfulness of the chemical environments. The chronic diseases such as farmer's syndrome. hypertension, diabetes, and dyshepatia were not common in the vinylhouse workers than in the farmers. Meanwhile, farmer's syndrome was more common in the vinylhouse workers who worked longer and slept less.

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Characteristics of Humidifier Use in Korean Pregnant Women: The Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) Study

  • Chang, Moon-Hee;Park, Hye-Sook;Ha, Min-A;Kim, Yang-Ho;Hong, Yun-Chul;Ha, Eun-Hee
    • Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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    • v.27
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    • pp.3.1-3.4
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    • 2012
  • Objectives: The current use of humidifier detergent and its harmful impact on humans has arisen as a societal environmental health issue. Therefore, in this study we aimed to explore the relationship between demo-socio characteristics and humidifier use, as well as the monthly usage changes in pregnant women; thus, we report the actual status of humidifier usage of Korea's pregnant population. Methods: From a birth cohort of a Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study, 1,144 pregnant women who responded through questionnaires including demo-socio characteristics, obstetric status and household environment including whether they use humidifier and frequency of use were included in this study. Statistical analyses were performed to explore the relationship between maternal characteristics and the relevance of the use of humidifiers was performed using a chi-square test, a t-test and univariate logistic regression analysis. The monthly usage rate was demonstrated in the graph. Results: The humidifier usage rate in pregnant women was 28.2%. The average frequency of humidifier usage was 4.6 days per week, 7.3 hours per day. The usage rate was higher in the multipara group and the above the age of 34 age group than in the primipara and below the age of 34 groups. Seoul showed a higher usage rate than Cheonan and Ulsan and as the education level and income increased, the usage rate of humidifiers among pregnant women also increased. In the monthly trend of usage rate, the winter season showed the highest usage rate of over 45% and the lowest in late summer and beginning of fall with a value of 12% or less. Conclusions: During pregnancy, the mother's body is especially vulnerable to hazardous environmental exposure that not only affects the pregnant woman but also the fetus. Further research is still needed to elucidate the route and effect of environmental risk factors. Therefore, based on precautionary and preventive principles, special interest and caution in harmful environments are strongly needed not only at an individual level but also at a national level.

A Study on the Evaluating Harmful Factors Associated with Works Burdening the Musculoskeletal System of the Librarian of Public Libraries: Focusing on Public Libraries in Northwestern Seoul (공공도서관 사서의 근골격계 부담 작업 관련 유해요인에 관한 연구 - 서울시 서북권역 공공도서관을 중심으로 -)

  • Kim, Boil
    • Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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    • v.30 no.3
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    • pp.93-110
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    • 2019
  • This study surveyed 129 librarians of public libraries in the northwestern region of Seoul to identify harmful factors under the assumption that the work and environmental factors of them would burden their musculoskeletal system and influence their work satisfaction. The results of this study showed that the musculoskeletal symptoms in the shoulder, one of the general items, were more frequently observed in women than in men. Secondly, the musculoskeletal symptoms in the arms and elbows, one of the working environment characteristics, were most frequently reported when they worked more than one year and less than three years. The musculoskeletal symptoms in the waist were influenced by the operation method; the librarians of public libraries entrusted to the Office of Education or a local government showed symptoms more frequently. The musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck were affected by working hours; librarians working in the day shift showed neck symptoms more frequently than those working in the night shift. Thirdly, when the characteristics of the work environment were examined, the musculoskeletal symptoms in the hands, wrists, and fingers were highly frequent under all characteristics of the work environment, the musculoskeletal symptoms in the waist were highly frequent under all characteristics of the work environment except for work satisfaction, and the musculoskeletal symptoms in the legs and feet were highly frequent according to the proficiency, work intensity, and physical burden. Fourthly, this study evaluated the differences in musculoskeletal symptoms according to the work satisfaction of individuals. The results revealed that the occurrence frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms for all body parts decreased as work satisfaction increased. Therefore, it will be necessary for the main body of public library operation to improve the work and working environments and enhance the work satisfaction of individuals by reducing the physical burden of the librarian of public libraries through adjusting the work intensity in order for the health of the librarian of public libraries.

Wearable oxygen saturation measurement platform for worker safety management (작업자의 안전관리를 위한 웨어러블 산소포화도 측정 플랫폼)

  • Lee, Yun Ju;Song, Chai Jong;Yoo, Sun Kook
    • Smart Media Journal
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    • v.11 no.9
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    • pp.30-38
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    • 2022
  • It is important to grasp biometric data in real time for prompt action in the event of a safety accident at a work site where the risk of safety accidents exists. Among them, blood oxygen saturation is the most important factor in maintaining human life, so real-time oxygen saturation measurement and monitoring is necessary according to the situation as a preemptive response for worker safety management. By receiving real-time bio-signals from workers wearing health and life-risk protective clothing, and sharing and analyzing the worker's risk status in an external system, it is possible to diagnose the worker's current condition and efficiently respond to emergencies that may occur to the worker. In this paper, we propose a wearable oxygen saturation measurement platform technology that can monitor the risk of harmful gases and oxygen saturation of the wearer in real time and ensure the wearer's activity and safety in order to cope with emergency situations at the scene of an accident. If we overcome the limitations identified through the results of the proposed system later and apply improved biodata such as motion correction to the platform, we expect that it will be usable not only in hazardous gas environments, but also in hospitals and homes for emergency patients.

Analysis of performance changes based on the characteristics of input image data in the deep learning-based algal detection model (딥러닝 기반 조류 탐지 모형의 입력 이미지 자료 특성에 따른 성능 변화 분석)

  • Juneoh Kim;Jiwon Baek;Jongrack Kim;Jungsu Park
    • Journal of Wetlands Research
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    • v.25 no.4
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    • pp.267-273
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    • 2023
  • Algae are an important component of the ecosystem. However, the excessive growth of cyanobacteria has various harmful effects on river environments, and diatoms affect the management of water supply processes. Algal monitoring is essential for sustainable and efficient algae management. In this study, an object detection model was developed that detects and classifies images of four types of harmful cyanobacteria used for the criteria of the algae alert system, and one diatom, Synedra sp.. You Only Look Once(YOLO) v8, the latest version of the YOLO model, was used for the development of the model. The mean average precision (mAP) of the base model was analyzed as 64.4. Five models were created to increase the diversity of the input images used for model training by performing rotation, magnification, and reduction of original images. Changes in model performance were compared according to the composition of the input images. As a result of the analysis, the model that applied rotation, magnification, and reduction showed the best performance with mAP 86.5. The mAP of the model that only used image rotation, combined rotation and magnification, and combined image rotation and reduction were analyzed as 85.3, 82.3, and 83.8, respectively.

Implementation of Crops Monitoring System Using Wireless Sensor Networks (무선 센서 네트워크를 이용한 농작물 모니터링 시스템 구현)

  • Lee, Young-Chul;Jo, Seung-Eon;Oh, Chang-Heon
    • Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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    • v.12 no.4
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    • pp.324-331
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    • 2008
  • In this paper, we developed the crops monitoring system using wireless sensor networks. It can acquire the information about the cultivation environments from a temperature, humidity, illumination and soil sensor then use the detailed information for very useful. The acquisition about the cultivation environment information with wireless sensor networks can be made up an environment that an administrator is able to confirm the information and wherever in a remote place instead of conventional way visiting the cultivate place by investing a lot of money and time. Therefore, it could be saving money, time and effort, and reduced the damages from the natural disasters such as a cold-weather damage and drought. In addition, we could be possible preventing from the damages of blight and harmful insects according to the temperature by an analysis. In agriculture field, this system could be supported for making a foundation of the advanced technology developing endless, and, in IT field, it is look forward to preparing the opportunity which creates a new requirement on the new technology.

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