Relationship between Work Hours and Smoking Behaviors in Korean Male Wage Workers

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study are 1) to measure the prevalence of smoking according to weekly work hours by using data from the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study (KLIPS), and 2) to explain the cause of high smoking prevalence among those with short or long work hours by relative explanatory fraction. METHODS: Data from a total of 2,044 male subjects who responded to the questionnaire in the 10th year (2007) and 11th year (2008) of the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study were used for analysis. Current smoking, smoking cessation, continuous smoking, start of smoking, weekly work hours, occupational characteristics, sociodemographic and work-related factors, and health behavior-related variables were analyzed. Log-binomial regression analysis was used to study the relationship between weekly work hours and smoking behaviors in terms of the prevalence ratio. RESULTS: The 2008 age-adjusted smoking prevalence was 64.9% in the short work hours group, 54.7% in the reference work hours group, and 60.6% in the long work hours group. The smoking prevalence of the short work hours group was 1.39 times higher than that of the reference work hours group (95% confidence interval of 1.17-1.65), and this was explained by demographic variables and occupational characteristics. The smoking prevalence of the long work hours group was 1.11 times higher than that of the reference work hours group when the age was standardized (95% confidence interval of 1.03-1.19). This was explained by demographic variables. No independent effects of short or long work hours were found when the variables were adjusted. CONCLUSION: Any intervention program to decrease the smoking prevalence in the short work hours group must take into account employment type, job satisfaction, and work-related factors

Human microglial cells synthesize albumin in brain

Albumin has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease since it can bind to and transport amyloid beta, the causative agent; albumin is also a potent inhibitor of amyloid beta polymerization. In a pilot phase study of Human Brain Proteome Project, we found evidence that albumin may be synthesized in immortalized human microglial cells, human primary microglial cells, and human fetal and adult brain tissues. We also found the synthesis and secretion is enhanced upon microglial activation by Amyloid [beta]~1-42~, lipopolysaccharide treatment or human Alzheimer's brain

Induction of Neuronal Death by Microglial AGE-Albumin: Implications for Alzheimer’s Disease

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have long been considered as potent molecules promoting neuronal cell death and contributing to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, we demonstrate that AGE-albumin, the most abundant AGE product in human AD brains, is synthesized in activated microglial cells and secreted into the extracellular space. The rate of AGE-albumin synthesis in human microglial cells is markedly increased by amyloid-β exposure and oxidative stress. Exogenous AGE-albumin upregulates the receptor protein for AGE (RAGE) and augments calcium influx, leading to apoptosis of human primary neurons. In animal experiments, soluble RAGE (sRAGE), pyridoxamine or ALT-711 prevented Aβ-induced neuronal death in rat brains. Collectively, these results provide evidence for a new mechanism by which microglial cells promote death of neuronal cells through synthesis and secretion of AGE-albumin, thereby likely contributing to neurodegenerative diseases such as AD

Employment Status and Self-Reported Unmet Healthcare Needs among South Korean Employees

We aimed to examine the association between employment status and self-reported unmet healthcare needs and to identify factors influencing self-reported unmet healthcare needs by employment status. Nationally representative data from the 2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. Participants were classified by employment status as either permanent or precarious workers. Explanatory variables included sociodemographic, labor-related, and health-related factors. Multivariate logistic regression ascertained the association between employment status and self-reported unmet healthcare needs and explanatory factors associated with self-reporting of unmet healthcare needs. Precarious workers had a higher prevalence of self-reported unmet healthcare needs than permanent workers, with a statistically significant odds ratio (OR) (1.74; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19⁻2.54). Male precarious workers working >40 h per week were more likely to self-report unmet needs than male precarious workers working <40 h (OR, 3.90; 95% CI, 1.40⁻10.87). Female precarious workers with a lower household income were about twice as likely to self-report unmet needs. Working hours and household income were significantly influential factors determining self-reporting of unmet healthcare needs, especially among precarious workers. Policy interventions to improve access to healthcare for precarious workers are needed

A national pilot program for chronic diseases and health inequalities in South Korea

Abstract Background To achieve the health equity, it is important to reduce socioeconomic inequalities when managing chronic diseases. In South Korea, a pilot program for chronic diseases was implemented at the national level. This study aimed to examine its effect on socioeconomic inequalities in chronic disease management at the individual and regional levels. Methods Korean National Health Insurance data from September 2016 to October 2017 were used. Study subjects in the national pilot program for chronic diseases included 31,765 participants and 5,741,922 non-participants. The dependent variable was continuity of prescription medication. Socioeconomic position indicators were health insurance contribution level and the area deprivation index. Covariates were gender, age, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). A multilevel logistic regression model was used to address the effects at both the individual and regional levels. This is a cross-sectional study. Results Unlike the group of non-participants, the participants showed no inequality in prescription medication continuity according to individual-level socioeconomic position. However, continuity of prescription medication was higher among those in less deprived areas compared to those in more deprived areas in both the participation and non-participation groups. Conclusions This study found that the pilot program for chronic diseases at the least did not contribute to the worsening of health inequalities at the individual level in South Korea. However, there was a trend showing health inequalities based on the socioeconomic level of the area. These findings suggest that additional policy measures are needed to attain equality in the management of chronic diseases regardless of the regional socioeconomic position

Disentangling plasmonic and catalytic effects in a practical plasmon-enhanced Lithium–Oxygen battery

Despite possessing high theoretical energy density, rechargeable Li–O2 batteries face critical drawbacks towards commercialization. In line with recent attempts to integrate solar energy exploitation in high-energy storage, here we investigate the promise of plasmonic materials with unique light-interacting properties (localized surface plasmon resonance, LSPR) and emerging application in catalysis. Au nanoparticles (NPs) at increasing contents/sizes are incorporated on conventional Ketjen Black cathodes, with preliminary half-cell measurements underlining the promise of LSPR-generated hot-carriers on the O2 electrochemistry. The illuminated battery with facile Li2O2 formation/decomposition, small Li2O2 particles, and suppressed carboxylate side-products unlocks a round-trip efficiency boost from 75.2 to 80.2% (first cycle) and a ∼1.2-fold full capacity enhancement. Even more remarkably, with continuous cycling (30 cycles), a 680 mV-overpotential suppression is here reported. Comparatively, dark conditions reveal negligible Au-driven catalytic effects, whereas LSPR-induced local heat effects are ruled out upon meticulous assessment of the product selectivity in cells at increasing temperatures. These outstanding efficiencies are ensured even with larger particles (5–100 nm), as corroborated by corresponding galvanostatic profiles and finite-difference time-domain simulations, pinpointing the practicality of our cathodes towards scale-up. This contribution is the first to disentangle catalytic effects and plasmon relaxation pathways over practical carbon-based cathodes for high-energy storage

An analysis of the promise of Li–O2 and Li–S batteries incorporating plasmonic metal nanostructures

The unique properties of light-responsive plasmonic metal nanostructures featuring tunable localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-absorption have found increasing exploitation in the fields of light emission, sensing, catalysis, and theragnosis. In this contribution, we turn our attention to the recently proposed exploitation of plasmonic metal architectures in the development of next-generation electrochemical energy storage devices, with a focus on stationary systems in the electricity sector. The proposed strategy aligns with the rising interest in integrated solar energy harvesting in battery systems. Here, we consider two representative candidates, Li–S and Li–O2, for which operation principles and challenges are conveniently first introduced. We review previously reported plasmon-enhanced systems and offer detailed guidelines and strategies in this field, reflecting on a cost-performance duality, expected difficulties and drawbacks of the proposed concept, and the roles of metal nanostructures within these unique electrochemical environments. We also propose valuable analytical tools to disentangle and efficiently exploit distinct plasmonic effects (including injection of hot carriers) and shed light on the required cell design and cathode preparation in light-responsive devices. This contribution reflects a valuable outlook and a guide for the development of plasmon-enhanced energy storage in a field of ever-growing concern

The lithium metal anode in Li–S batteries: challenges and recent progress

As strenuous research works approach the theoretical limits of the lithium-ion battery, the need to exploit more sustainable chemistries has emerged as a primary concern. The development of the lithium–sulfur (Li–S) battery offers an energy density of 2567 W h kg−1, reflecting an up to three to fivefold enhancement against the state-of-the-art Li-ion device. Solving the critical degradation of the metal anode and suppressing correlated side reactions in the Li–S cell represent, however, pivotal steps towards commercial consideration. In light of the unique Li–S electrochemistry, we examine herein the technical challenges of the lithium metal anode, including the dendritic lithium nucleation and growth during Li plating, and the stabilization of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). We revisit key contributions to establish a guideline of crucial factors determining the stability of the anode and its correlation with the electrolyte selection, electrode current density, and the effect of the shuttle of polysulfide intermediate species. Most importantly, our review delivers a comprehensive comparison of introduced strategies for the metal surface protection (including electrolyte-modification-based approaches and metal surface coating), along with a theoretical understanding and analysis of the underlying methodologies. This review sheds light on future opportunities towards a practical application of Li–S batteries, while stimulating progress in the exploitation of lithium metal anodes in parallel technologies in the development of energy storage for a sustainable future (266 citations)

Toxic Effects of Methanol among Illegally Dispatched Workers at Aluminum CNC Cutting Process in Small-Scale, Third-Tier Subcontractor Factories of Smartphone Manufacturers in the Republic of Korea

An outbreak of occupational methanol poisoning occurred in small-scale, third-tier factories of large-scale smartphone manufacturers in the Republic of Korea in 2016. To investigate the working environment and the health effects of methanol exposure among co-workers in the methanol poisoning cases, we performed a cross-sectional study on 155 workers at five aluminum Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) cutting factories. Gas chromatography measured air and urinary methanol concentration. In the medical examination, symptom surveys, ophthalmological examinations, and neurobehavioral tests were done. Multiple logistic regression analyses controlling for age and sex were conducted to reveal the association of employment duration with symptoms. Air concentrations of methanol in factory A and E ranged from 228.5 to 2220.0 ppm. Mean urinary methanol concentrations of the workers in each factory were from 3.5 mg/L up to 91.2 mg/L. The odds ratios for symptoms of deteriorating vision and central nervous system (CNS) increased according to the employment duration after adjusting for age and sex. Four cases with an injured optic nerve and two cases with decreased neurobehavioral function were founded among co-workers of the victims. This study showed that the methanol exposure under poor environmental control not only produces eye and CNS symptoms but also affects neurobehavioral function and the optic nerve. The role of subcontracting production and dispatched work under poor environmental control was discussed