• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.324-333
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• 2006

This study was designed to investigate the effect of bone demineralization and tibia lead on blood lead in retired lead workers. Two hundred thirty five(126 females and 109 males) retired lead workers who worked in 4 different lead factories and 101 non-occupationally lead exposed subjects(51 females and 51 males) were recruited from March 2004 to October 2004. Bone mineral density(BMD) was measured at left calcaneous bone area by broadband ultrasound attenuation(BUA) method with QUS-2(Metra Biosystems Inc, USA). The BUA value transformed into T-score by WHO standard conversion criteria. Tibia bone lead was measured for skeletal bone lead with K-xray fluorescence(K-XRF) and blood lead was analyzed with flameless atomic spectrophotometer. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum calcium and iron were also analyzed. In addition, information for smoking and drinking status and basic personal data such as age, gender and lead exposure were also collected using questionnaire inquiry. Blood lead was correlated with tibia lead (r=0.664) and these two variables were negatively correlated with BMD in bivariate analysis. BMD showed significant main effect on the change of blood lead independent to tibia lead without any effect modification of age or gender; the one T-score unit decrease of mineral bone density made $0.43{\mu}g/dl$ increase of blood lead. On the other hand, tibia lead showed effect modification with gender on blood lead; the slope of tibia lead on blood lead in male was steeper than in female and crossed at around zero of tibia lead. In the multiple regression analysis of blood lead and tibia lead on BMD after adjustment of related covariates, only blood lead showed statistically significant effect on BMD. This study confirmed that BMD and blood lead were significantly associated. To verify the causal association of BMD on blood lead and vice versa, further longitudinal studies are needed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2010

This study was designed to investigate the effect of increased blood and tibia lead on the change of bone mineral density in retired male lead workers. One hundred nine retired male lead workers who worked in 4 different lead industries and 51 nonoccupationally lead exposed male subjects were recruited from March 2004 to October 2004. Bone mineral density(BMD) was measured by broadband ultrasound attenuation(BUA) at left calcaneous bone area with broadband ultrasound attenuation method of QUS-2(Metra Biosystems Inc, USA). Tibia bone lead was measured for skeletal bone lead with K-xray fluorescence(K-XRF) and blood lead was analyzed with flameless atomic spectrophotometer. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum calcium and iron were also analyzed. In addition, information for smoking and drinking status and basic personal data such as age and lead exposure were also collected using questionnaire inquiry. Blood lead was correlated with tibia lead (r=0.711) and these two variables were negatively correlated with BUA in bivariate analysis. BUA and tibia lead showed significant main effects on the change of blood lead after adjusting covariates. The effect modification by the level of BMD (low: lower than the median of BUA and high: higher than the median of BUA) was observed between the association of tibia lead and blood lead after adjustment of covariates. The subjects who had higher BMD seemed to have lower blood lead by the increase of tibia lead than those of lower BMD. In the multiple regression analysis of blood lead and tibia lead on BUA after adjustment of covariates, only blood lead showed statistically significant effect on BUA. This study confirmed that BMD and blood lead were significantly associated. To verify the causal association of BMD on blood lead and vice versa, further longitudinal studies are needed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2007

This study was designed to investigate the difference of airborne lead concentration by type of lead industries and type of lead exposure and to evaluate their association with lead biomarkers of lead workers in 11 lead using industries. Total of 182 lead workers (male: 167, female: 15) from 11 lead industries were participated for this study from March, 2004 to August, 2005. Airborne lead concentration were measured by representative personal sampling of workers in each unit workplace and applied same concentration value to the workers in the same unit workplace who did not measure their airborne lead with personal air sampling. Tibia lead, blood lead, zinc protoporphyrin in whole blood, ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid in urine, hemoglobin and hematocrit were selected as study variables of indices of lead exposure. Information about type of lead exposure (fume or non-fume other), age, work duration, smoking & drinking habit were also collected. Significant differences were seen in the means of zinc protoporphyrin, blood lead and tibia lead in lead workers by different airborne lead concentration in workplace. While blood lead and tibia lead in lead workers were significantly higher in secondary smelting than other types of lead industries, zinc protoporphyrin, ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid in urine and airborne lead concentration were significantly higher in litharge manufacturing. While the mean blood lead was significantly higher in the lead workers working in fume type unit workplace than those of non-fume lead workers, the mean airborne lead concentration of fume workers was significantly lower than non-fume lead workers. In the multiple regression analysis of airborne lead concentration and the type of lead exposure on tibia lead and lead exposure indices after adjustment of related covariates, airborne lead concentration was statistically significantly associated with blood lead and tibia lead, but the type of lead exposure was only associated with blood lead. To verify the causal association of airborne lead concentration on blood lead and tibia lead, further studies are needed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.156-167
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• 2010

To evaluate the effect of lead biomarkers including bone lead on neurobehavioral test in retired lead workers, 131 retired lead workers without any occupational exposure to organic solvent, mercury and arsenic were agreed to participate this study. For the control subjects 56 non-occupationally lead exposed subjects were recruited from same area of retired lead workers with consideration of demographic characteristics. The mean levels of blood and bone lead of retired lead workers were significantly higher than control group and there were significant correlation among other lead biomarkers. Compared with controls without occupational lead exposure, lead exposured subjects had worse performance on 10 tests out of 12 neurobehavioral tests, but only two tests(Purdue pegboard nondominant and both hand) showed statistical significance of differences. In multiple linear regression analysis of neurobehavioral tests with lead biomarkers and demographic and lifestyle variables, age was associated negatively with 11 neurobehavioral tests, whereas log-transformed ZPP was associated with Purdue pegboard(both hand) and Santa Ana manual dexterity(non-dominant hand). On the other hand, tibia lead was associated Pursuit aiming test(correct) and Purdue pegboard(dominant hand) and calcaneal lead was associated with Purdue pegboard(dominant hand). This study confirmed that among all relevant variables age was most significantly associated with the poor performance of neurobehavioral tests. The blood lead did not have any significant association with neurobehavioral tests, but tibia and calcaneal bone lead and blood ZPP showed significant association with a few tests even after more than mean 9 years from their retirements.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.195-207
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was performed to confirm whether plasma lead can be used as a chronic biomarker for the biological monitoring of exposure to lead. Methods: Lead concentrations in 66 plasma samples from retired lead workers (G.M. 60.25 years, Median 61.00 years) and 42 plasma samples from the general population (G.M. 53.76 years, Median 56.50 years) were measured using ICP/Mass. Tibia, whole blood, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and blood zinc protophorphyrin (ZPP) concentrations and urinary ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid (${\delta}-ALA$) were measured for correlation analysis with plasma lead. Results: The geometric mean concentration of lead in plasma was $0.23{\mu}g/L$ for the retired lead workers and $0.10{\mu}g/L$ for the general population sample. A simple correlation analysis of biomarkers showed that plasma lead concentration among the retired lead workers was highly correlated with lead concentration in the tibia and with blood lead concentration, and the plasma lead concentration among the general population correlated with ZPP concentration in the blood. The lead concentration in the tibia and the lead concentration in the whole blood increased with length of working period. As the period in the lead workplace increased, the ratio of lead in plasma to lead concentration in whole blood decreased. Conclusion: This study confirmed the possibility of a chronic biomarker of lead concentration in blood plasma as a biomarker. In the future, comparative studies with specific indicators will lead to more fruitful results.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.145-148
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• 1985

Nickel toxicity and interactions of nickel with zinc, copper, and lead were studied in glowing chicks fed supplemented diet. Feed intake and growth rate of the chick were reduced by 250mg nickel as a sulfate salt per kg of feed. The toxicity of nickel was decreased by zinc or copper supplementation, but not lead. High nickel feed increased nickel level in kidney and decreased zinc levels in tibia and plasma. However, low zinc levels in tibia and in plasma were reversed by zinc supplementation. Hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and aortic elastin content were increased in chicks fed nickel. These results suggest that nickel toxicity is induced by interference with zinc metabolism.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.47-59
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• 1991

This study wa performed to investigate the effects of dietary protein and fiber on the lead and protein metabolism in lead poisoning rats. Seventy male rats of Sprague-Dawley strain weighing 172$\pm$2g were blocked into 14 gropus according to body weight. Protein(casein) was given at levels of 15 or 40%, and fibers(pectin, cellulose and CMC) were given at levels of 0, 4 or 10%. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Food intake, weight gain and food efficiency ratio(FER) in groups fed high protein diets were higher than those in low protein groups. Liver weight in groups fed no dietary fiber was higher than that of animals fed fiber. Kidney and femur weights were greater in high protein groups. Tibia and femur lengths, and tibia weight were not significantly different among groups. 2. Hemoglobin content and hematocrit values showed no significant differance with dietary factors. 3. Total protein contents of serum and liver showed no significant difference, but tended to increase with increasing dietary protein level. Both daily urinary and fecal nitrogen excretions in high protein groups were higher than those in low protein groups. Especially daily fecal nitrogen excretions in high dietary fiber groups were significantly high. Body nitrogen absorption rate was the highest in animals fed no fiber. 4. Pb levels in blood, liver, kidney and bone tended to decrease with high dietary protein and fiber levels. Especially Pb level of kidney was high in all groups. Daily urinary Pb excretion showed no significant difference with dietary factors, but fecal Pb excretion increased significantly in high protein and fiber groups.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 1984

The protective effects of high levels of dietary iron, copper, zinc or protein on lead toxicity were studied In chicks. Growth retardation, reduction of feed intake, anemia and accumulation of lead in the bone and kidney were observed in chicks fed a diet containing 500mg lead as chloride per kg of feed for 42 days. Early changes due to ingested lead were inhibition of red blood cell ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid dehydrase at all doses and no effect of iron, copper, zinc or protein addition were observed. Tibia lead accumulation was reduced in chicks receiving additional dietary iron or zinc compared to the lead only group but increased in chicks given supplementary protein. Decreased body weight gain was overcome by supplementary zinc or protein in chicks fed lead but not by supplementary iron. Overall the results of this study show that lead poisoning can be partly reduced by providing supplementary iron, zinc or protein, but the interaction of these element remained to be elucidated.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.164-174
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• 2023

Objective: The aim of this study was to quantitatively analyze the impact characteristics of the lower extremity on strike pattern during running. Method: 19 young subjects (age: 26.53 ± 5.24 yrs., height: 174.89 ± 4.75 cm, weight: 70.97 ± 5.97 kg) participated in this study. All subjects performed treadmill running with fore-foot strike (FFS), mid-foot strike (MFS), and rear-foot strike (RFS) to analyze the impact characteristics in the lower extremity. Impact variables were analyzed including vertical ground reaction force, lower extremity joint moments, impact acceleration, and impact shock. Accelerometers for measuring impact acceleration and impact shock were attached to the heel, distal tibia, proximal tibia, and 50% point of the femur. Results: The peak vertical force and loading rate in passive portion were significantly higher in MFS and FFS compared to FFS. The peak plantarflexion moment at the ankle joint was significantly higher in the FFS compared to the MFS and RFS, while the peak extension moment at the knee joint was significantly higher in the RFS compared to the MFS and FFS. The resultant impact acceleration was significantly higher in FFS and MFS than in RFS at the foot and distal tibia, and MFS was significantly higher than FFS at the proximal tibia. In impact shock, FFS and MFS were significantly higher than RFS at the foot, distal tibia, and proximal tibia. Conclusion: Running with 3 strike patterns (FFS, MFS, and RFS) show different impact characteristics which may lead to an increased risk of running-related injuries (RRI). However, through the results of this study, it is possible to understand the characteristics of impact on strike patterns, and to explore preventive measures for injuries. To reduce the incidence of RRI, it is crucial to first identify one's strike pattern and then seek appropriate alternatives (such as reducing impact force and strengthening relevant muscles) on that strike pattern.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.149-163
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to compare the lower extremity's joint and segment coupling patterns between forward and backward running in subjects who were twelve healthy males. Three-dimensional kinematic data were collected with Qualisys system while subjects ran to forward and backward. The thigh internal/external rotation and tibia internal/external rotation, thigh flexion/extension and tibia flexion/extension, tibia internal/external rotation and foot inversion/eversion, knee internal/external rotation and ankle inversion/eversion, knee flexion/extension and ankle inversion/eversion, knee flexion/extension and ankle flexion/extension, and knee flexion/extension and tibia internal/external rotation coupling patterns were determined using a vector coding technique. The comparison for each coupling between forward and backward running were conducted using a dependent, two-tailed t-test at a significant level of .05 for the mean of each of five stride regions, midstance(1l-30%), toe-off(31-50%), swing acceleration(51-70%), swing deceleration(71-90), and heel-strike(91-10%), respectively. 1. The knee flexion/extension and ankle flexion/extension coupling pattern of both foreward and backward running over the stride was converged on a complete coordination. However, the ankle flexion/extension to knee flexion/extension was relatively greater at heel-strike in backward running compared with forward running. At the swing deceleration, backward running was dominantly led by the ankle flexion/extension, but forward running done by the knee flexion/extension. 2. The knee flexion/extension and ankle inversion/eversion coupling pattern for both running was also converged on a complete coordination. At the mid-stance. the ankle movement in the frontal plane was large during forward running, but the knee movement in the sagital plane was large during backward running and vice versa at the swing deceleration. 3. The knee flexion/extension and tibia internal/external rotation coupling while forward and backward run was also centered on the angle of 45 degrees, which indicate a complete coordination. However, tibia internal/external rotation dominated the knee flexion/extension at heel strike phase in forward running and vice versa in backward running. It was diametrically opposed to the swing deceleration for each running. 4. Both running was governed by the ankle movement in the frontal plane across the stride cycle within the knee internal/external rotation and tibia internal/external rotation. The knee internal/external rotation of backward running was greater than that of forward running at the swing deceleration. 5. The tibia internal/external rotation in coupling between the tibia internal/external rotation and foot inversion/eversion was relatively great compared with the foot inversion/eversion over a stride for both running. At heel strike, the tibia internal/external rotation of backward running was shown greater than that of forward(p<.05). 6. The thigh internal/external rotation took the lead for both running in the thigh internal/external rotation and tibia internal/external rotation coupling. In comparison of phase, the thigh internal/external rotation movement at the swing acceleration phase in backward running worked greater in comparison with forward running(p<.05). However, it was greater at the swing deceleration in forward running(p<.05). 7. With the exception of the swing deceleration phase in forward running, the tibia flexion/extension surpassed the thigh flexion/extension across the stride cycle in both running. Analysis of the specific stride phases revealed the forward running had greater tibia flexion/extension movement at the heel strike than backward running(p<.05). In addition, the thigh flexion/extension and tibia flexion/extension coupling displayed almost coordination at the heel strike phase in backward running. On the other hand the thigh flexion/extension of forward running at the swing deceleration phase was greater than the tibia flexion/extension, but it was opposite from backward running. In summary, coupling which were the knee flexion/extension and ankle flexion/extension, the knee flexion/extension and ankle inversion/eversion, the knee internal/external rotation and ankle inversion/eversion, the tibia internal/external rotation and foot inversion/eversion, the thigh internal/external rotation and tibia internal/external rotation, and the thigh flexion/extension and tibia flexion/extension patterns were most similar across the strike cycle in both running, but it showed that coupling patterns in the specific stride phases were different from average point of view between two running types.