The Effect of Strengthening Exercise Program on the Physical Activity, Activities of Daily Living, Social Behavior and Functional Performance of the Elderly in a Home for the Aged / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of a strengthening exercise program on the physical activity, activities of daily living(ADL), social behavior and functional performance of the elderly in a home for the aged. METHODS : We administered a survey questionnaire that consisted of questions to establish general characteristics, health habits and status, physical activity, ADL, and social behavior. Additionally, a physical fitness and functional performance examination was performed on subjects who were 65 years old or older. Study subjects numbered 33 in the experimental group and 35 in the control group. For intervention, we used a strengthening exercise program of the upper and lower limbs for 12 weeks(5 times/week) using dumbbells and lead-packed weights. RESULTS: After the strengthening exercise program, the scores of physical activity and social behavior were significantly higher than the control group and the before exercise measurements. Moreover, the variables of functional performance were significantly higher than in the control group or the before exercise records. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that a strengthening exercise program can improve the score of physical activity, ADL and social behavior, as well as decrease the time(sec) of functional performance of the elderly in a home for the aged.

The Predictive Factors to Participation in Cervical Cancer Screening Program / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To examine the screening rate of cervical cancer in women and to find out the predictive factors for participation in cervical cancer screening programs within their life-time and within the last two years. METHODS: The data was based on self-reported questionnaires from 1,613 women whose ages ranged from 26 to 60 years; this survey was performed between December 1999 and January 2000. This study analyzed the predictive factors for participation in cervical cancer screening programs within their life-time and within the last two years. A logistic regression analysis was performed in order to derive the significant variables from the predisposing factors (demographic factor, health promotion behavior, reproductive factor), intervention factors (information channel, relation with medical staff), and proximal factors (attitude, social influence, self-efficacy). All analyses were performed by the PC-SAS 6.12. RESULTS: Our analyses showed that the screening rate for the women who received a cervical cancer screening (Pap smear) more than once within their life-time was 56.1% while those who had received one within the last two years was 34.5%. The significant factors for participation in cervical cancer screening program within their life-time were their income, married age, health promotion score, relation with medical staffs, social influence, and self-efficacy. On the other hand, age, number of pregnancies, menarche age, relation with medical staffs, social influences, and self-efficacy were significant factors for those being screened within the last two years. The predictive power of the logit model within their life-time was 68.8% and that within the last two years was 66.6%. CONCLUSION: The predictive factors for participation in cervical cancer screening program within their life-time are different from those for within the last two years, and that women's relations with medical staffs and social influences were the critical factors impacting on cervical cancer screening rates.

Autoregulation of Quartz-induced iNOS by iNOS-derived Hydrogen Peroxide in Rat2 Fibroblast / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed in order to investigate the molecular mechanism regulating nitric oxide synthase(NOS) induced by alpha-quartz in Rat2 fibroblast. METHODS: alpha-quartz-induced nitric oxide(NO) and H2O2 formation and alpha- quartz-induced iNOS protein expression in Rat2 fibroblast were monitored. With iNOS inhibitor(L-N6- (1-iminoethyl)lysine hydrochloride, L-NIL) or antioxidant(catalase), we observed NO and H2O2 formation and iNOS protein expression in Rat2 fibroblast stimulated with alpha-quartz. RESULTS: alpha-quartz stimulated iNOS-induced NO and H2O2 formation in Rat2 fibroblast. L-NIL inhibited H2O2 formation and iNOS protein expression by alpha-quartz in Rat2 fibroblast. Pretreatment with catalase blocked the autoinhibitory pathway of iNOS by iNOSinduced H2O2, therefore H2O2 and NO production and iNOS protein expression were increased in Rat2 fibrobalst stimulated with alpha-quartz CONCLUSIONS: alpha-quartz-induced iNOS stimulated H2O2 formation in Rat2 fibroblast. INOS-induced H2O2 by alpha-quartz plays an important role in the autoinhibition pathway for regulating the iNOS function in Rat2 fibroblast

The Relationship between Health Value Cognition, Health Promotion Behavior and Health Examination Results Among Transit Corporation's Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to compare health value cognition and health promotion behavior compliance between healthy group and not being healthy group, and to evaluate the difference of health promotion behaviors compliance between high group and low group in health value cognition. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 565 workers, 233 healthy workers, 172 observation cases and 160 disease cases, selected from 4,919 transit coporations workers. RESULTS: In health promoting behavior compliance, not being healthy group showed lower level than healthy group in exercise and showed higher level than healthy group in interpersonal support significantly. A worker who replied on health as the most value in life was consisted in 37.3% of healthy group and 36. 1% of not being healthy group, Health value cognition according to general characteristics showed no significant difference except only variable of age in healthy group. Health promoting behavior compliance according to cognition of health value showed in healthy group that a high level group of health value cognition was more significant difference than a low level group in self actualization and health responsibility of health promoting behavior and didn't show difference significantly in not being healthy group. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the relationship between health value cognition, health promotion behavior compliance and periodic health examination results showed weakly. Therefore, in order to develop and apply spontaneous health promotion program, it was considered that should emphasize compliance than cognition.

Effects of Genetic Factor, Life Styles, and Diet on Urinary Hippuric Acid Excretion in Toluene Exposed Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose was to investigate the distributions and the effects of genetic polymorphism of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2(ALDH2), cytochrome P450 1A1(CYP1A1), and cytochrome P450 2E1(CYP2E1) on the toluene metabolism. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 160 workers who were exposed to toluene in different industries such as paint manufacturing, painting on steel and wood products, printing, bonding, and coating. The exposed toluene level was monitored by passive air sampler, and the questionnaire variables were age, sex, smoking, drinking, previous nights drinking, use of personal protective equipment, work duration, and taking benzoic acid containing food. The urinary hippurric acid collected in the end of shift was corrected by urinary creatinine concentration. The genotypes of ALDH2, CYP1A1, and CYP2E1 were investigated using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) methods with DNA extracted from venous blood. RESULTS: The geometric mean and the geometric standard deviation of urinary hippuric acid concentration were 0. 44 g/g creatinine and 2. 80. The urinary hippuric acid concentration was significantly related to personal exposed toluene level among personal exposed toluene level, use of personal protective equipment, and benzoic acid containing food diet. The slope differences of the regression for ALDH2, CYP1A1, and CYP2El genetic polymorphism, age, smoking, and work duration tended to be significant. In multiple regression analysis, the regression coefficient of toluene, ALDH2, CYP1A1, CYP2E1 genetic polymorphism were significant. CONCLUSIONS: Prom the above results, urinary hippuric acid level after toluene exposure was significantly affected by the genetic polymorphism of ALDH2, CYP1A1, CYP2E1. It is needed further investigation of the urinary hippuric acid level considering the effect of genetic polymorphism.

The Effect of Silica Dust on Ventilatory Function in Foundry Workers / 대한산업의학회지

In order to study the exposure level of silica dust and the effects of silica dust on ventilatory function, respirable dust samples were collected by personal air samplers using NIOSH method 0500 from the selected foundry operations, and ventilatory function tests were performed on 209 male foundry workers and 239 male control subjects. Ventilatory indices such as forced vital capacity (FVC) , one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), ratio of FEV1 to FVC(FEV1 %), maximal mid-expiratory flow(MMF), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and maximal expiratory flow at 25, 50 and 75 % of expired FVC (FEF25, FEF50, FEF75 were obtained by analyzing forced expiratory spirogram and maximal expiratory flow-volume curve which were simultaneously measured by Vitalography in standing position. The results were as follows : 1. The average quartz concentrations of respirable dust were the highest in melting operation (0.079 mg/m3) and followed by molding operation (0.051 mg/m3), finishing operation (0.041 mg/m3) and coremaking operation (0.023 mg/m3) in the descending order. 2. No significant differences for mean values of all ventilatory indices expressed as percent of predicted value were demonstrated between smokers and nonsmokers In foundry workers and control subjects. 3. Mean values of all ventilatory indices except FVC of foundry workers were significantly lower than those of control subjects. 4. Mean values of FEV1 %, MMF, FEF25, FEF50 and FEF75 expressed as percent of predicted value tended to decrease with increasing cumulative dust exposure. 5. In foundry workers, proportions of workers with low MMF, FEF50 and FEF75 were markedly higher than those with other indices, and were significantly increased with increasing cumulative dust exposure. 6. In foundry workers, 2 workers(1.0 %) were diagnosed as silicosis and the profusion of radiographic opacities were category 1/0 and q type. With the above considerations in mind, it suggested that increasing exposure of silica dust be associated with progressive deterioration in ventilatory function of an obstructive nature and that MMF, FEF50 and FEF75 be more sensitive indices in the detection of the early obstructive changes of air flow of workers exposed to silica dust.

Clinical Process and Pulmonary Function of Workers Exposed to Dusts in Manufacturing Industries: Potential Biomarkers of Pneumoconiosis / 대한산업의학회지

Alveolitis is believed to be a primary response after dust inhalation. Activated inflammatory cells by dust and their mediators are major participants in the evolution of pneumoconiosis. Therefore evaluation of degree of alveolitis is useful for assessing disease activity and estimating of prognosis in pneumoconiosis. This study focused on the workers with pneumoconiosis who are working and worked in manufacturing industries because the occupying fraction by them among total pneumoconioses patients in our country is increasing recently. In order to identify and validate biomarkers to early diagnosis and better predict for the suceptible workers, the release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF alpha ), interleukine-8 (IL-8), platelet-derived growth factor-AA(PDGF-AA) and transforming growth factor-beta TGF beta ) from alveolar macrophages and blood monocytes, their concentration in BAL (bronchoalveolar lavage) fluid, pulmonary function test and Gallium index of lung were performed on 25 patients with pneumoconiosis who worked in manufactory industries. The results of this study were as follows ; 1. No significant differences were demonstrated between large opacity group and small opacity group, however pulmonary diffusing capacity in large opacity group was significantly lower than that in small opacity group. 2. (67)Gallium index was significantly correlated with increase of category in pnemoconiosis(r=0.83, p<0.05). 3. Numbers of total cells (r=0.583, p<0.05) and alveolar macrophages (r=0.499, p<0.05) in BAL were significantly correlated with the category of pneumoconiosis. 4. Spontaneous (r=0.474, p<0.05) and LPS (r=0.463, p<0.05) stimulated release of TNF alpha from macrophage, IL-8 (r=0.464, p<0.05) and TGF beta r=0.460, p<0.05) in BAL fluid were significantly correlated with category of pneumoconiosis. 5. Significantly positive correlation was demonstrated between spontaneous (r=0.443, p<0.05) and LPS (r=0.573, p<0.05) stimulated release of TNF alpha with the category of pneumoconiosis. 6. Release of TNF alpha from alveolar macrophages(r=0.61, p<0.05) and blood monocytes (r=0.48, p<0.05), IL-8 concentration in BAL fluid (r=0.52, p<0.05) and (67)Gallium index (r=0.53, p<0.05) were consider to sensitive biomarkers for alveolitis by dust.

The Effects of Knowledge and Attitude about Noise on Hearing Conservation Behavior and Hearing Loss / 대한산업의학회지

This study was conducted to investigate knowledge and attitude factor related to hearing conservation and to evaluate the effect of knowledge and attitude about noise on hearing conservation behavior and hearing loss among workers exposed to noise. We investigated the questionnaires of knowledge and attitude about noise and hearing conservation behavior and hearing loss among 355 study subjects from March, 1998 to June, 1998. The results were as follows; We extracted following 5 factors from 26 questionnaire items of knowledge and attitude about noise; knowledge of noise and concern to the control noise (factor 1), general perceived susceptibility (factor 2), relative perceived susceptibility compared with colleagues(factor 3), concern to the hearing protective devices(factor 4), concern to the hearing and noise assessment (factor 5). Knowledge and attitude factors affecting the hearing conservation behavior were general perceived susceptibility in the case of wearing hearing protective devices and knowledge of noise and concern to the control noise in the case of suggestion for hearing conservation. But, in the case of intentional avoiding noise exposure, concern to the hearing protective devices was a significant factor with concern to the hearing and noise assessment. Knowledge and attitude factors affecting hearing loss in 1 kHz were relative perceived susceptibility compared with colleagues and concern to the hearing protective devices, and in 4 KHz were relative perceived susceptibility compared with colleagues and general perceived susceptibility.

Subjective Symptoms of Fatigue in Pharmacists / 대한산업의학회지

In order to investigate industrial fatigue of pharmacists, the questionnaire survey for subjective symptoms and its related factors was carried out on 435 pharmacists who were managing pharmacies in Seoul. The Questionnaires were composed of three groups of 10 items each, representing dullness and sleepness(I), difficulty in concentrations (II) and bodily projection of fatigue (III). The results were as follows : 1. The complaint rate of fatigue was the highest in 'eye strain' and followed by 'whole body tires', 'apt to forget', 'leg feel heavy', 'feel drowsy' and 'feel like tying' in the descending order. 2. The average weighted score of fatigue complaint was the highest in dullness and sleepness group(I) and followed by difficulty in concentrations group(II) and bodily projection of fatigue group(III) in the descending order, suggesting the heavier mental stress rattier than physical burden of the pharmacists work contents. 3. The average weighted scores of fatigue complaints were significantly higher in female and 0-3 off-duty days per month group than those in male and more than 4 off-duty days per month group. 4. The average weighted scores of fatigue complaints were significantly different among the characteristic groups of counselling postures, noise and using chairs. 5. The groups with the high quality of sleeping, regular physical exercise and diet, or satisfied with their job and income had significantly lower average weighted scores of fatigue complaints. 6. The 42.5% of the subjects complained feeling heavy chronic fatigue. And the significant differences for average weighted scorns were noted among three groups, representing 26.64 in feeling heavy chronic fatigue, 18.23 in feeling light chronic fatigue, and 9.50 in feeling no chronic fatigue.

Anxiety, Depression and Immune Functions of Shift Workers / 대한산업의학회지

No abstract available.

Effects of Welding Fume on Ventilatory Function / 대한산업의학회지

In order to study the effects of welding fume on ventilatory function, forced expiratory spirogram was performed on 563 male workers exposed to welding fume in motor vehicles industry and 589 male control workers. Ventilatory indices such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), the ratio of one-second forced expiratory volume to forced vital capacity (FEV(1)%= FEV(1)/FVC) and maximal mid-expiratory flow(MMF) were obtained by analyzing forced expiratory spirogram which were measured by Vitalograph in standing position. The results were as follows: 1. Mean values of FVC, FEV(1), FEV(1)%, and MMF expressed as percent of the predicted were significantly lower in exposure group than in control group. 2. No significant differences for mean ventilatory indices were demonstrated between smokers and nonsmokers both in exposure group and control group. However, mean MMF of welders tended to reduce in smokers (77.4 %) than in nonsmokers (82.4 %). 3. In exposure group mean FEV(1) was significantly lower in more than 20 years than those of control group. However, mean MMF, FEV(1)% were significantly reduced with increasing exposure duration compared to control group, indicating 90.8 %; and 62.2 % of the predicted in more than 20 years group. 4. In exposure group workers with obstructive ventilatory impairment (7.5 %) was markedly higher than that with restrictive ventilatory impairment (2.0 %). 5. In exposure group the proportion of workers with low ventilatory indices was' the highest in MMF (26.8 %), and followed by FEV(1)(11.9 %), FEV(1)%(7.6 %) and FVC (2.1 %) in descending order. Workers with low MMF and PEV

Performance Ranges of the Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery among Female Workers Occupationally Not Exposed to Neurotoxic Agents in Manufacturing Industries / 예방의학회지

With increased use of neurotoxic agents in manufacturing industries, hazardous effects of neurotoxic agents pose significant problems in protecting health of workers who work in these industries. A normal range of neurobehavioral performance is required 10 study hazardous effects of neurotoxic agents among workers. However, such reference for Korean population is not available yet. The objective of this study is to estimate a normal range of neurobehuvioral test performance of female workers in Korea. Data for neurobehavioral test performance developed by the world Health organization were obtained from 165 female workers. Study Subjects, 140 production workers and 25 clerks, who voluntarily participated in this study were not occupationally exposed to neurotoxic agents. The mean age and the mean education years of them were 32 years and 10.9 years, respectively. Santa Ana dexterity, pursuit aiming, digit symbol, simple reaction time, and Benton visual retention tests among the Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery(NCTB) were included in the evaluation. Subjects were interviewed by a trained interviewer for their detailed occupational history. Mean(+/-SD) performance of the participants were: 45.7+/-7.1 and 41.9+/-6.4 in the Santa Ana dexterity test of the preferred and non-preferred hands; 191.9+/-38.6 in correct dot of the pursuit aiming test; 57.7+/-16.0 in the digit symbol test; 274.8+/-44.6 msec in the mean simple reaction time and 70.5+/-69.0 msec in the mean standard deviation of it; and 7.8+/-1.7 in the Benton visual retention test. Most neurobehavioral performance scores were correlated significantly with age and educational level. Educational level was found to be a significant independent variable which was associated with all test scores. Age was significantly associated with scores of pursuit aiming and digit symbol tests.

Performances of the WHO Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery among Mal Workers Occupationally Non-exposed to Neurotoxic Agents / 대한산업의학회지

Five items among neurobehavioral core test battery of World Health Organization, including Santa Ana dexterity, pursuit aiming, digit symbol, simple reaction time, and Benton visual retention, were administered to the workers occupationally non-exposed to neurotoxic agents by operational guide for the WHO neurobehavioral core test battery. Subjects were volunteers from the industrial workers (117) and clerks (40). Detailed occupational history such as exposed agents including noise or vibration, educational level, residence, smoking and drinking habit were recorded. Most of the neurobehavioral tests were correlated with age and educational level. Smoking was correlated with pursuit aiming and digit symbol. Vibration affected pursuit aiming. Job type (industrial workers vs. clerks) and noise exposure did not affected among tested items. Multiple regression analysis was done for establishing predict equation to estimate normal ranges of the tests for male workers. Age was shown to be main independent variable affected for all tests except wrong dot of pursuit aiming. Educational level was also shown to affected most of the tests except Santa ana dexterity and wrong dot of pursuit aiming. Alcohol consumption affected Santa Ana dexterity, non-preferred hand, and smoking affected only wrong dot of pursuit aiming after multiple regression analysis.

Current Medical Exantination Practiees for the Determination of Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Losses / 대한산업의학회지

Occupational hearing loss became the leading occupational disease by constituting 56% of all work-related diseases in Korea. However, the prevalence rates showed wide variations among the specific medical examination providers (SHFEPs) and were very low (0.8-1.4%) compared with those of 8.4% in Japan. This study was designed to identify sources of these variations by inyestigating current audiometric testing methods and the diagnostic criteria utilized by the ShfEPs. A questionnaire was distributed to each of 27 SMEPS selected from total 70 SMEPS. Among them, 20 ShfEPs were interviewed and the rest of them were given the questionnaire from by mail. Included in the survey from were questions concerning audiometric testing methods and procedure equipment, facility personnel and the diagnostic criteria utilized, The results were as follows: 1. Employee audiometric testings were primaTily conducted by nurses and nurse-aids who had formal training for audiometry because no training program had been established. No requirement about the quality of audiometric testing personnel was specified in the regulation. 2. Although audiometric testing equipment used by the SDfEPs should be periodically calibrated, a significant number of them were not properly calibrated. Most of the calibration services were provided by the outside contractors and were done with no uniformly established periods. No SMEPS conducted the daily functional calibration. Most of the ShfEPs did not keep their calibration records. 3. Initial audiometric testings were conducted at any available spaces in the workplace or at the testing room without considering noise level in that place. Follow-up audiometric testings were also provided without considering the worker's noise exposure. Although audiometric booths were used during tHe follow-up testinga most of them did not meet the ANSI noise reauirement for audiometric booths. 4. AltHough a standard diagnostic criterion was promulgated in the law, the criterion was not used uniffrmly by the SMEPs. In addition, some SMEPS were applying age corrections which were not incorporated into the regulation yet. Therefore wide range of prevalence in NIHU among SMEPS could have possibly been caused by variable audiometric testing procedures and methods. In conclusion, it was recommended that systematical and general measures, such as formal and regular training program for testers, quality control regulation of instnlment calibration, and establishment of standard diagnostic criteria, be established for solving current problems and assuring equity among SMEPs in diagnosing occupational hearing losses.

A study on component analysis of organic solvents and their health effect / 대한산업의학회지

No abstract available.

A Survey on the Air Pollution of Expressway Tollgates in Korea / 대한산업의학회지

This survey was carried out from October 16 through October 27, 1989 to evaluate the working environment of expressway tollgate. We measured and analyzed 9 parameters such as total dust, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and lead in the air together with climatic conditions and traffic volumes at 10 major highway tollgates. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The concentrations of air pollutants at inside and outside of toll booth were 0.7824 and 1.5460 mg/m3 for total dust, 0.034 and 0.094 ppm for sulfur dioxide, 2.2 and 4.3 ppm for carbon monoxide, 0.031 and 0.068 ppm for nitrogen dioxide, 0.0018 and 0.0027 mg/m3 for lead, respectiveively. 2. All air pollutants showed significant association each other except lead and nitrogen dioxide. 3. No relation was observed between air pollutants and traffic volume. 4. Generally speaking, climatic conditions showed no effect on the value of air pollutants both at inside and outside of toll booth. The exceptions were humidity that was related with carbon monoixide outside and air current that was related with lead outside.

Screening of Respiratory Impairments in Anthracosis / 대한산업의학회지

No abstract available.

Causative Factors of Occupational Injuries in Manufacturing Industries in Korea / 대한산업의학회지

No abstract available.

A Comparison of Thoracic Gas Volume measured by Body Plethysmographic Method and Functional Residual Capacity measured by Closed Circuit Method / 예방의학회지

By using Siregnost FD 91 body plethysmograph. we measured thoracic gas volume (TGVe) at end of expiration in 19 healthy subjects aged 20-43 years in order to compare with functional residual capacity (FRC) measured by closed circuit method. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Mean values of TGVe and FRC were 3.395+/-0.585 liter, and 3.398+/-0.618 liter, respectively. 2. A advantage of the body physthysmographic method for measuring thoracic gas volume was that it were rapid, safe. and easy to perform, requires no gas sample for chemical analysis, and measured TGVe several times.