Assessment of acute inhalation toxicity of citric acid and sodium hypochlorite in rats

Background@#Citric acid (CA) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) have been used to disinfect animals to protect them against avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease. @*Objectives@#We performed a good laboratory practice (GLP)-compliant animal toxicity study to assess the acute toxic effects of CA and NaOCl aerosol exposure in Sprague-Dawley rats. @*Methods@#Groups of five rats per sex were exposed for 4 h to four concentrations of the two chemicals, i.e., 0.00, 0.22, 0.67, and 2.00 mg/L, using a nose-only exposure. After a single exposure to the chemicals, clinical signs, body weight, and mortality was observed during the observation period. On day 15, an autopsy, and then gross findings, and histopathological analysis were performed. @*Results@#After exposure to CA and NaOCl, body weight loss was observed but recovered.Two males died in the CA 2.00 mg/L group and, two males and one female died in the 2.00 mg/L NaOCl group. In the gross findings and histopathological analysis, discoloration of the lungs was observed in the CA exposed group and inflammatory lesions with discoloration of the lungs were observed in the NaOCl exposed group. These results suggest that the lethal concentration 50 (LC50) of CA is 1.73390 mg/L for males and > 1.70 mg/L for females. For NaOCl, the LC50 was 2.22222 mg/L for males and 2.39456 mg/L for females. @*Conclusions@#The Globally Harmonized System is category 4 for both CA and NaOCl. In this study, the LC50 results were obtained through a GLP-based acute inhalation toxicity assessment. These results provide useful data to reset safety standards for CA and NaOCl use.

International regulatory considerations pertaining to the development of stem cell-based veterinary medicinal products

Stem cell-based products (SCPs) are an emerging field of veterinary medicine that focuses on the regeneration, repair, or replacement of damaged tissues or organs. However, there are some issues in applying the traditional regulatory guideline for the approval of SCPs as veterinary medicinal products. This article describes the positions of Korea, US, and EU regarding SCPs, and compares the regulatory guidelines of each country for their safety evaluation. Although there are some differences in the regulatory guidelines, similar considerations in identifying the quality of SCPs and their safety has adopted. Overall, these guidelines need to be harmonized among countries.

Predictive Model for Quality of Life of the Older Men Living Alone

Purpose@#This study aimed to construct and test a predictive model that explains and predicts the quality of life in older men living alone. @*Methods@#A self-report questionnaire was used to collect data from 334 older adult men living along aged 65 years or over living in Jeollanam-do provinces. The endogenous variables were depression, self-rated health, instrumental activity of daily life, health promotion behaviors, the number of social participation activities and quality of life. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 21.0 programs. @*Results@#The final model with 14 of the 8 analysed paths showed a good fit to the empirical data: χ2= 173.26(p < .001, df = 53),normed χ2= 3.27, GFI = .92, NFI = .90, CFI = .93, TLI = .89, RMSEA = .08 and SRMR = .06. Activities had direct effect on quality of life of older men living alone and social support had both direct and indirect effects. Meanwhile, function and socioeconomic status showed only indirect effects.The variables included in the eight significant paths explained 83.7% of variance in the prediction model. @*Conclusion@#Instrumental activities of daily living and social support effect directly on quality of life in the older men living alone. Findings suggest that health care providers including community nurses need to provide social support as well as empowerment programs of instrumental activities of daily living and health promotion for improving quality of life of the older men living alone.

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Depressive Symptoms among Korean Older Men and Women: Contribution of Social Support Resources

Purpose@#This study explored the contribution of social support resources to the explanation of socioeconomic inequalities in depressive symptoms of older Korean men and women. @*Methods@#Data were derived from Living Profiles of Older People Survey (LPOPS), which comprises a nationally representative sample of non-institutionalized Korean older adults living in the community. The data were analyzed by using multiple logistic regression. The sample consisted of 4,046 men and 6,036 women aged ≥65 years. The Korean version of the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short form (SGDS-K) was employed as an outcome variable. @*Results@#Compared to the older men and women who were in higher socioeconomic status, those in lower socioeconomic status had significantly higher risk of depressive symptoms after adjusting for other covariates. When social support resources were individually included in the base model, each factor contributed to inequalities in depressive symptoms. Social networks explained about 20% of the differential impact of education and 10% to 15% of the differential impact of household income for depressive symptoms in men. Among women, it mitigated 23.6% to 39.0% of education and household income inequalities for depressive symptoms. Social participation contributed to buffer depressive symptom inequalities of 24.0% to 46.3% among men and those of 11.7% to 45.3% among women. @*Conclusion@#Our findings suggest community care nurses acknowledge the value of social support resources to alleviate socioeconomic inequality in depressive symptoms among older men and women.

Identification of urinary microRNA biomarkers for in vivo gentamicininduced nephrotoxicity models

Background@#Although previous in vivo studies explored urinary microRNA (miRNA), there is no agreement on nephrotoxicity-specific miRNA biomarkers. @*Objectives@#In this study, we assessed whether urinary miRNAs could be employed as biomarkers for nephrotoxicity. @*Methods@#For this, literature-based candidate miRNAs were identified by reviewing the previous studies. Female Sprague-Dawley rats received subcutaneous injections of a single dose or repeated doses (3 consecutive days) of gentamicin (GEN; 137 or 412 mg/kg). The expression of miRNAs was analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in 16 h pooled urine from GEN-treated rats. @*Results@#GEN-induced acute kidney injury was confirmed by the presence of tubular necrosis.We identified let-7g-5p, miR-21-3p, 26b-3p, 192-5p, and 378a-3p significantly upregulated in the urine of GEN-treated rats with the appearance of the necrosis in proximal tubules.Specifically, miR-26-3p, 192-5p, and 378a-3p with highly expressed levels in urine of rats with GEN-induced acute tubular injury were considered to have sensitivities comparable to clinical biomarkers, such as blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and urinary kidney injury molecule protein. @*Conclusions@#These results indicated the potential involvement of urinary miRNAs in chemical-induced nephrotoxicity, suggesting that certain miRNAs could serve as biomarkers for acute nephrotoxicity.

Predictive Model for Quality of Life of the Older Men Living Alone

Purpose@#This study aimed to construct and test a predictive model that explains and predicts the quality of life in older men living alone. @*Methods@#A self-report questionnaire was used to collect data from 334 older adult men living along aged 65 years or over living in Jeollanam-do provinces. The endogenous variables were depression, self-rated health, instrumental activity of daily life, health promotion behaviors, the number of social participation activities and quality of life. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 21.0 programs. @*Results@#The final model with 14 of the 8 analysed paths showed a good fit to the empirical data: χ2= 173.26(p < .001, df = 53),normed χ2= 3.27, GFI = .92, NFI = .90, CFI = .93, TLI = .89, RMSEA = .08 and SRMR = .06. Activities had direct effect on quality of life of older men living alone and social support had both direct and indirect effects. Meanwhile, function and socioeconomic status showed only indirect effects.The variables included in the eight significant paths explained 83.7% of variance in the prediction model. @*Conclusion@#Instrumental activities of daily living and social support effect directly on quality of life in the older men living alone. Findings suggest that health care providers including community nurses need to provide social support as well as empowerment programs of instrumental activities of daily living and health promotion for improving quality of life of the older men living alone.

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Depressive Symptoms among Korean Older Men and Women: Contribution of Social Support Resources

Purpose@#This study explored the contribution of social support resources to the explanation of socioeconomic inequalities in depressive symptoms of older Korean men and women. @*Methods@#Data were derived from Living Profiles of Older People Survey (LPOPS), which comprises a nationally representative sample of non-institutionalized Korean older adults living in the community. The data were analyzed by using multiple logistic regression. The sample consisted of 4,046 men and 6,036 women aged ≥65 years. The Korean version of the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short form (SGDS-K) was employed as an outcome variable. @*Results@#Compared to the older men and women who were in higher socioeconomic status, those in lower socioeconomic status had significantly higher risk of depressive symptoms after adjusting for other covariates. When social support resources were individually included in the base model, each factor contributed to inequalities in depressive symptoms. Social networks explained about 20% of the differential impact of education and 10% to 15% of the differential impact of household income for depressive symptoms in men. Among women, it mitigated 23.6% to 39.0% of education and household income inequalities for depressive symptoms. Social participation contributed to buffer depressive symptom inequalities of 24.0% to 46.3% among men and those of 11.7% to 45.3% among women. @*Conclusion@#Our findings suggest community care nurses acknowledge the value of social support resources to alleviate socioeconomic inequality in depressive symptoms among older men and women.

Oral health condition according to distribution of periodontopathic bacterial complex / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between the distribution of periodontopathic bacteria and oral conditions.METHODS: Stimulated saliva was collected from 162 adults aged 60 years and above. The prevalence and amount of periodontopathic bacteria in the saliva were analyzed using real-time PCR. Pocket depth and clinical attachment loss were examined to evaluate the oral conditions of the subjects. Patients who had at least one tooth surface involved, with a pocket depth ≥4 mm or clinical attachment loss ≥5 mm were classified as having periodontal disease.RESULTS: The detection rates of most bacteria in the orange and green complexes were more than 90%, while those of P. gingivalis and T. forsythia in the red complex were 58.6% and 61.7%, respectively. The number of bacteria in the red complex positively correlated with each other. There were no significant differences in the number of types of red complex bacteria in the saliva and the distribution of residual number of teeth and periodontal disease (P>0.05). On the other hand, the number of remaining teeth in subjects with higher bacterial density were more than those with lesser bacterial density. In addition, the occurrence of dental disease differed significantly depending on the number of P. gingivalis and T. forsythia.CONCLUSIONS: The relative amount of periodontopathic bacteria is important in the occurrence of periodontal disease, and the number of these bacteria positively correlated with each other.

Comparison of palonosetron and ondansetron to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting in women using intravenous patient-controlled analgesia

Background@#We compared the effects of palonosetron with ondansetron for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) during the first 24 h after surgery in women receiving intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) with fentanyl for pain control. @*Methods@#In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study, 204 healthy patients who were undergoing elective surgery with general anesthesia were enrolled. In the palonosetron group (n = 102), 0.075 mg bolus was given intravenously (i.v.) 30 min before the end of surgery and 8 ml saline was added to the IV-PCA. In the ondansetron group (n = 102), 8 mg bolus i.v. was given 30 min before the end of surgery and 16 mg of ondansetron was added to the IV-PCA. The incidence of PONV, severity of nausea, and use of rescue anti-emetics were evaluated 6 and 24 h after the operation. @*Results@#The incidences of nausea (55.6%) and vomiting (14.1%) in the palonosetron group did not differ from those (58.3 and 19.8%) in the ondansetron group during the first 24 h after surgery (P > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the severity of nausea and use of rescue anti-emetics between the two groups (P > 0.05). @*Conclusions@#The effects of palonosetron in preventing PONV were not different from those of ondansetron during the first 24 h postoperatively in women receiving IV-PCA with fentanyl.

Guideline on safety evaluation of cell-based medicinal products for animal use

With the increased use of cell therapy in the veterinary sector, there is a growing demand for the development of cell-based medicinal products and the determination of their safety. Currently, the Korean Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency has established a guideline for evaluating the safety of cell-based medicinal products for animal use. The guideline includes items related to definition, classification, management, manufacturing procedure and quality control (standard and test method), stability testing, toxicity testing, pharmacological testing, and performance of clinical trials. In addition, testing protocols related to safety assessment of animal cell-based products such as chromosome karyotyping, tumorigenicity testing, confirmatory testing of biodistribution and kinetics, and target animal safety testing are described in detail. Moreover, because cell-based medicinal products are novel therapies, deviations from traditional designs may be justified in order to obtain relevant safety information on the treatment. Additionally, this guideline can be amended on the basis of new scientific findings.

Quantitative Analysis of Oral Pathogenic Bacteria according to Smoking Using Real-Time PCR / 치위생과학회지

This study investigates the relationship between smoking and periodontal disease through quantitative analysis of intra-buccal oral pathogenic bacteria detected in smokers and aims to yield objective baseline data for applications in anti-smoking and dental health education programs. From April to May 2016, participants in an oral health management program within an intensive dental hygiene training course at Choonhae College of Health Sciences received an explanation of the study purposes and methods, after which male smokers aged 18~30 years agreed to participate voluntarily. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of oral pathogenic bacteria was performed after collecting gingival sulcus fluid samples from 67 smokers. The intra-buccal oral pathogenic bacteria distributions were analyzed based on the subjects' general characteristics, smoking behaviors, and oral care behaviors. The distribution results show that pathogens in the anterior teeth are affected (in this order) by age, toothbrush size, and smoking status; older people had fewer pathogens, those who used larger toothbrushes had more pathogens, and smokers had more pathogens, compared to non-smokers ((adj)R²=19.1). In the posterior teeth, pathogens were influenced (in this order) by smoking status, smoking duration, and the number of tooth brushings per day; smokers had more pathogens than non-smokers, and those who brushed their teeth more often had fewer pathogens ((adj)R²=25.1). The overall pathogen distribution was affected only by smoking status: smokers generally had more pathogens, compared to non-smokers. Therefore, it is necessary to provide information about the risk of periodontal disease due to smoking during anti-smoking or dental health education sessions; particularly, the use of smaller toothbrushes for anterior teeth and the need for smokers in their early twenties to quit smoking for dental health should be highly emphasized.

Prediction Model for Health-Related Quality of Life in Hospitalized Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to construct and test a structural equation model of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among hospitalized patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). METHODS: Participants were 256 patients with PTB who were 20 years or older and admitted in two national tuberculosis hospitals. The patients participated in pulmonary function testing and responded to structured questionaries. RESULTS: The goodness-of-fit statistics of the final hypothetical model were as follows: χ2/df=2.19, RMSEA=.07, SRMR=.05, GFI=.95, NFI=.95, CFI=.96, TLI=.92, and PCFI=.52. Symptoms and general health perception had significant direct effects, and subjective economic status, social support and stigma had significant indirect effect on HRQoL of hospitalized patients with PTB. These variables explained 64% of variance in the prediction model. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that strategies and intervention for physical symptoms and depressive symptoms are crucial to improve the quality of life in hospitalized patients with PTB. The development of various social support programs is also recommended.

Correlates of Depressive Symptoms and Stress among Korean Women Care-workers for Older Adults Dwelling in Community / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study identified the prevalence of depressive symptoms and explored correlates of depressive symptoms among Korean women care-workers caring older adults living in community. METHODS: A total of 465 participants were recruited for the study. Depressive symptoms was measured by the CES-D10 and distress was assessed using a single question given 5 Likert scale. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms and distress among care-workers were 32.5% and 32.0% respectively. Work environment safety, violence exposure experience, work-family conflict, weekly care work time, and poor health status were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Only violence exposure experience and poor health status were associated with distress. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest more attention on mental health of care-workers and their risky work condition such as violence.

The Impacts of Psychosocial Work Environments on Depressive Symptoms among Korean Registered Nurses / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the association between psychosocial work environments and depressive symptoms among Korean registered nurses. METHODS: The study population of 331 registered nurses was derived from the 2014 Korean Working Condition Survey (KWCS). Depressive symptom was assessed using the WHO-5 wellbeing index. RESULTS: The thirty-five percentage of Korean registered nurses reported the risk for depressive symptom. Korean nurses with higher ‘work-family conflict’ were more likely at the risk of depression almost 1.83 (95% CI 1.04~3.20) times than their counterpart. Higher ‘possibilities for development’ were more likely decrease almost 60% of the risk of depressive symptom. CONCLUSION: Work-family conflict and possibility of development were associated with depressive symptom among Korean registered nurses. We suggest future researches identifying strategies for decreasing work-family conflict and its negative effects.

Influence of Stigma and Social Support on Depressive Symptoms in Hospitalized Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between depressive symptoms, stigma and social support in hospitalized PTB (pulmonary tuberculosis) patients. METHODS: Participants were 256 patients with PTB who were admitted in two national tuberculosis hospitals. RESULTS: Higher levels of stigma were significantly related to depressive symptoms in patients with PTB. Self-reports of social support by medical staff were negatively associated with depressive symptoms in patients with PTB. Stigma and social support by medical staff were found to be significant predictors of depressive symptoms after controlling for potential confounders. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that intervention for depressive symptoms be incorporated into treatment for patients with PTB, and strategies to decrease TB-related stigma and increase social support by medical staff be provided to prevent depressive symptoms.

Correlates of Depression among Married Immigrant Women in Korea / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was done to examine the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms among married immigrant women in South Korea. METHODS: Data from the 2015 Living Profiles of Multiculture Family Survey were used in this study. The sample consisted of 1,579 married immigrant women aged 19 to 39 years. Sociodemographic, acculturation, and social support factors were analyzed. Logistic regression was used for the data analysis. RESULTS: Married immigrant women having a poor relationship with their husbands and a culture gap with husbands were more likely to report depressive symptoms. Low socioeconomic status, no satisfaction with mother role, and no satisfaction with father role, and high social support resources were associated with depressive symptoms among married immigrant women in Korea. Having a moderate level of social support resources was more likely to lower the risk of depressive symptoms than high social support resources. CONCLUSION: The findings in this study indicate that prevention of depressive symptoms in married immigrant women in Korea could be aided by acculturation programs that include participation of husbands and social supports for the parenting role.

Changes in bisphenol A concentrations in urine according to sealant filling in children / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate the changes in bisphenol A (BPA) concentrations in urine from before to after sealant filling and the relationship between BPA and the number of teeth with sealed surfaces. METHODS: Thirty-one children aged 6 and 7 years from three elementary schools in Daegu city who did not have any sealant and resin filling were selected as subjects. Urine samples were collected before and after sealant filling until 24 hours, with informed consent from their caregivers. The BPA concentration in all the collected urine samples was analyzed at Seegene Medical. Statistical analysis was performed using the Friedman test, Scheirer-Ray-Hope test, and the repeated-measures generalized linear mixed model of SPSS version 22.0. RESULTS: The BPA concentrations increased from 3.49-μg/g creatinine before to 4.91-μg/g creatinine 2-3 hours later and to 4.15-μg/g creatinine after 24 hours. The more teeth with sealed surfaces, the higher the BPA concentration in children, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The BPA concentrations were highest at 2–3 hours after sealant filling and decreased at 24 hours. Exposure to the sealant appears to have a meaningful correlation with the concentration of BPA in the urine of children.

The Impacts of Psychosocial Work Conditions on Self-rated Health among Korean Workers / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: Few studies have considered the psychosocial work environment factors in relation to employee health. This study explored the relationship between psychosocial work characteristics and self-rated health among Korean employees. METHODS: The study population of 21,476 employees was derived from the 2014 Korean Work Environment Survey (KWES). Psychosocial work environment was measured by Copenhagen psychosocial questionnaire scales. RESULTS: Among employees at workplaces (n=21,476), 23.3% rated their health as poor. Among 12 indicators of psychosocial work environment characteristics, ‘higher emotional demand’, ‘demands for hiding emotions’, ‘work-family conflict’, and ‘social community at work’ were independently associated with risk of poor self-rated health of Korean employees after adjustment of all sociodemographics, work condition characteristics and physical work environment exposure. In addition, higher ‘possibilities for development’ and ‘social support from supervisor’ were more likely to decrease the risk of poor health. CONCLUSION: We suggest that psychosocial work environment is an important determinant of employees' health. The study results provide a good starting point for developing intervention and strategies for health improvement.

Vitamin-Mineral Supplement Use Patterns in Elderly Koreans: Data from the 2007-2008 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Vitamin-mineral supplements are the most popular dietary supplements in Korea. However, few studies have assessed the relationship between vitamin-mineral supplementation and associated factors among the Korean elderly. The purpose of this study was to assess the use of vitamin-mineral supplements among elderly in Korea as well as its association with sociodemographic factors, health-related behaviors, medical conditions, and nutrient intake. METHODS: This study was based on data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare from 2008 to 2009. Data from 3,294 elderly men and women (65 years of age and older) were analyzed. Multivariable-weighted logistic regression model analysis was used to evaluate the association between vitamin-mineral supplement use and sociodemographic factors, health-related habits, and medical conditions. RESULTS: Vitamin-mineral supplementation was reported by 16.3% of the participants. The most common reason for using dietary supplements was recommendations from friends and acquaintances. Highly educated person, female participants had a greater likelihood of taking vitamin-mineral supplements. In addition, analysis of nutrient intake from food sources alone revealed a lower proportion of vitamin-mineral supplement users with nutrient intakes below the estimated average requirements for vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, iron, and phosphorus, compared to nonusers. However, vitamin-mineral supplementation was not associated with health-related behaviors or medical conditions. CONCLUSION: Highly educated person, elderly Korean women had a greater likelihood of using vitamin-mineral supplements. In addition, nutrient intakes from food sources alone were significantly higher among vitamin-mineral supplement users. Finally, vitamin-mineral supplementation may be an indicator of healthier diet in elderly Koreans.

The Prediction of Industrial Accident Rate in Korea: A Time Series Analysis / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to predict industrial accident rate using time series analysis. METHODS: The rates of industrial accident and occupational injury death were analyzed using industrial accident statistics analysis system of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency from 2001 to 2014. Time series analysis was done using the most recent data, such as raw materials of Economically Active Population Survey, Economic Statistics System of the Bank of Korea, and e-National indicators. The best-fit model with time series analysis to predict occupational injury was developed by identifying predictors when the value of Akaike Information Criteria was the lowest point. Variables into the model were selected through a series of expertises' consultations and literature review, which consisted of socioeconomic structure, labor force structure, working conditions, and occupational accidents. RESULTS: Indexes at the meso- and macro-levels predicting well occurrence of occupational accidents and occupational injury death were labor force participation rate for ages 45-49 and budget for small scaled work-place support. The rates of industrial accident and occupational injury death are expected to decline. CONCLUSION: For reducing industrial accident continuously, we call for safe employment policy of economically active middle aged adults and support for improving safety work environment of small sized workplace.