Double Compressions of Atmospheric Depth by Geopotential Tendency, Vorticity, and Atmospheric Boundary Layer Affected Abrupt High Particulate Matter Concentrations at a Coastal City for a Yellow Dust Period in October

Using GRIMM-aerosol sampler, NOAA-HYSPLIT model, and 3D-WRF-3.3 model, the transportation of dusts from Gobi Desert toward Gangneung city, Korea was investigated from 09:00 LST October 27 to 04:00 LST October 28, 2003. Maximum PM10 (PM2.5, PM1) concentration was detected with 3.8 (3.4, 14.1) times higher magnitude than one in non-Yellow Dust period. The combination of dusts transported from the desert under westerly wind with particulate matters and gases from vehicles on the road of the city caused high PM concentrations near the ground surface at 09:00 LST and their maxima at 17:00 LST near sunset with further pollutants from heating boilers in the resident area. Positive geopotential tendency at the 500 hPa level of the city (∂Φ/∂t; m day−1) corresponding to negative vorticity of -4×10-5 sec−1 (-2.5×10-5 sec−1) at 0900 LST (21:00 LST; at night) was +83 m day−1 (+30 m day−1) and it caused atmospheric depth between 500 hPa level and the ground surface to be vertically expanded. However, its net reduction to −53 m/12 hrs until 21:00 LST indicated synoptic-scale atmospheric layer to be vertical shrunken, resulting in the increase of PM concentrations at 17:00 LST. Simultaneously, much shallower microscale stable nocturnal surface inversion layer (NSIL) than daytime thermal internal boundary layer induced particulate matters to be merged inside the NSIL, resulting in maximum PM concentrations at 17:00 LST

Clinical Comparison of the Auditory Steady-State Response with the Click Auditory Brainstem Response in Infants

ObjectivesOur goal was to determine the effectiveness of using the auditory steady state response (ASSR) as a measure of hearing thresholds in infants who are suspected of having significant hearing loss, as compared with using the click-auditory brainstem response (C-ABR).MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the audiologic profiles of 76 infants (46 boys and 30 girls, a total of 151 ears) who ranged in age from 1 to 12 months (average age: 5.7 months). The auditory evaluations in 76 infants who were suspected of having hearing loss were done via the C-ABR and ASSR. In addition, for reference, the mean ASSR thresholds were compared to those of 39 ears of infants and 39 ears of adults with normal hearing at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz.ResultsThe highest correlation between the C-ABR and ASSR thresholds was observed at an average of 2-4 kHz (r=0.94). On comparison between the hearing of infants and adults at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz, the mean ASSR threshold in infants was 12, 7, 8, and 7 dB higher, respectively, than that in adults.ConclusionASSR testing may provide additional audiometric information for accurately predicting the hearing sensitivity, and this is essential for the management of infants with severe to profound hearing loss

Fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene polymorphisms and insulin resistance in association with serum phospholipid polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in healthy Korean men: cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We investigated the relationship between fatty acid desaturase (<it>FADS</it>) gene polymorphisms and insulin resistance (IR) in association with serum phospholipid polyunsaturated fatty acid (FA) composition in healthy Korean men.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Healthy men (n = 576, 30 ~ 79 years old) were genotyped for rs174537 near <it>FADS1 </it>(<it>FEN1</it>-10154G>T), <it>FADS2 </it>(rs174575C>G, rs2727270C>T), and <it>FADS3 </it>(rs1000778C>T) SNPs. Dietary intake, serum phospholipid FA composition and HOMA-IR were measured.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Fasting insulin and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in the rs174575G allele carriers than the CC homozygotes, but lower in the rs2727270T allele carriers than the CC homozygotes. The proportion of linoleic acid (18:2ω-6, LA) was higher in the minor allele carriers of <it>FEN1</it>-10154G>T, rs174575C>G and rs2727270C>T than the major homozygotes, respectively. On the other hand, the proportions of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (20:3ω-6, DGLA) and arachidonic acid (20:4ω-6, AA) in serum phospholipids were significantly lower in the minor allele carriers of <it>FEN1</it>-10154 G>T carriers and rs2727270C>T than the major homozygotes respectively. AA was also significantly lower in the rs1000778T allele carriers than the CC homozygotes. HOMA-IR positively correlated with LA and DGLA and negatively with AA/DGLA in total subjects. Interestingly, rs174575G allele carriers showed remarkably higher HOMA-IR than the CC homozygotes when subjects had higher proportions of DLGA (≥1.412% in total serum phospholipid FA composition) (<it>P </it>for interaction = 0.009) or of AA (≥4.573%) (<it>P </it>for interaction = 0.047).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>HOMA-IR is associated with <it>FADS </it>gene cluster as well as with FA composition in serum phospholipids. Additionally, HOMA-IR may be modulated by the interaction between rs174575C>G and the proportion of DGLA or AA in serum phospholipids.</p

Associations among Organochlorine Pesticides, Methanobacteriales, and Obesity in Korean Women

BACKGROUND: Although Methanobacteriales in the gut has recently been linked to obesity, no study has examined the hypothesis that waist circumference, a marker of visceral obesity, are positively associated with Methanobacteriales in the general population. Since Methanobacteriales increase in a petroleum-contaminated environment to biodegrade petroleum as one way of autopurification, we also hypothesized that high body burden of highly lipophilic petroleum-based chemicals like organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) is associated with higher levels of Methanobacteriales in the gut. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Among 83 Korean women who visited a community health service center for a routine health checkup, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) based on 16S rDNA was used to quantify Methanobacteriales in feces. Nine OCPs were measured in both serum and feces of 16 subjects. Methanobacteriales were detected in 32.5% (27/83 women). Both BMI and waist circumference among women with Methanobacteriales were significantly higher than in women without Methanobacteriales (P = 0.04 and P = 0.01, respectively). Also, Methanobacteriales levels in feces were positively associated with BMI and waist circumference (r = +0.23 and P = 0.03 for both). Furthermore, there were significant correlations between feces Methanobacteriales levels and serum concentrations of most OCPs, including with cis-nonachlor (r = +0.53, P<0.05), oxychlordane (r = +0.46, P<0.1), and trans-nonachlor (r = +0.43, P<0.1). Despite high correlations of serum and feces concentrations of most OCPs, feces OCP concentrations were not clearly associated with feces Methanobacteriales levels. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: In this cross-sectional study, the levels of Methanobacteriales in the human gut were associated with higher body weight and waist circumference. In addition, serum OCP concentrations were positively correlated with levels of Methanobacteriales. There may be a meaningful link among body burden of OCP, Methanobacteriales in the gut, and obesity in the general population

Potentiated therapeutic angiogenesis by primed human mesenchymal stem cells in a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia

Background: Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are advantageous for cell-based therapy to treat ischemic diseases owing to their capacity to secrete various paracrine factors with potent angiogenic activity. Materials methods: In this study, we describe a method to increase secreted levels of VEGF and HGF from hMSCs without genetic modification. Results: We demonstrated that transplantation of primed hMSCs into ischemic limbs led to significantly greater improvements in tissue perfusion and limb salvage by increasing capillary formation compared with nonprimed hMSCs. The primed hMSCs also exhibited greater survival in vivo and secreted human VEGF and HGF in the ischemic tissue, supporting enhanced angiogenesis and cell survival. Conclusion: These findings indicate that priming hMSCs via methods described in this study enhances secretion of critical proangiogenic factors resulting in an enhanced therapeutic effect of cells for the treatment of ischemic diseases.This research was supported by grants from the Korea Health Technology R&D Project (M-S Chang, A100823) and the Innovative Research Institute for Cell Therapy, National University Hospital (A062260), both sponsored by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family, Seoul, Republic of Korea.OAIID:oai:osos.snu.ac.kr:snu2013-01/102/0000027724/1SEQ:1PERF_CD:SNU2013-01EVAL_ITEM_CD:102USER_ID:0000027724ADJUST_YN:YEMP_ID:A075930DEPT_CD:862CITE_RATE:3.718FILENAME:첨부된 내역이 없습니다.DEPT_NM:치의과학과EMAIL:[email protected]_YN:YCONFIRM:

Sex Differences in Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Older Korean Adults Living in Rural Areas: Prevalence, Quality of Life, and Associated Factors

Purpose Urinary incontinence (UI) is associated with nursing home admission, functional decline, and risk of death among community-dwelling older adults. Little information, however, is available on sex differences in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in older Korean adults exclusively living in rural areas. This study examined sex-related differences in LUTS, factors associated with UI in older adults living in rural areas, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in incontinent older adults. Methods This was a cross-sectional study in which face-to-face interviews were conducted at 15 rural community-health centres. A total of 323 older adults aged ≥65 years from rural areas of Korea participated. LUTS prevalence was evaluated and HRQoL was measured using the King’s Health Questionnaire. The chi-square test and t -test were used to examine sex differences in characteristics, LUTS, and HRQoL. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with UI. Results Nocturia was the most prevalent symptom, affecting 87% of men and 86% of women. Women (53%) had significantly more UI of any kind than did men (35%) (P=0.007). Urgency UI was the most frequent type of UI in men, whereas stress UI was the most frequent in women. Regarding HRQoL, men had significantly higher scores in the domains of sleep/energy disturbances (P=0.032) than did women, and women reported greater effects from the severity of incontinence (P=0.001) than did men. Arthritis was the only factor associated with UI in men (odds ratio [OR], 6.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46–32.36). However, women with diabetes mellitus were less likely to have UI than those without (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.23–0.82). Conclusions LUTS were found to be highly prevalent in community-dwelling older Korean adults in rural areas. Interventions to improve sleep and to reduce UI severity are needed for incontinent men and women, respectively

Utility of end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring in intramuscular ketamine sedation in the pediatric emergency department

Purpose Recently, the use of end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) monitoring has been suggested for early detection of hypoventilation over oxygen saturation (SPO2) monitoring. We aimed to determine the usefulness of capnography in monitoring patients sedated using intramuscular (IM) ketamine in the pediatric emergency department (ED). Methods This study retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients younger than 16 years who were sedated using IM ketamine and whose ETCO2 values were documented in the ED. Age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification (ASA classification), and purpose of sedation were investigated. Vital signs were recorded at pre-sedation, 5 and 10 minutes after sedation, and after recovery. Hypoventilation was defined as S P O2 < 95%, ETCO2 ≥ 50 mmHg or ≤30 mmHg, or increase in ETCO2 ≥ 10 mmHg from the baseline without tachypnea. Results A total of 49 patients were investigated; 42 of them belonged to ASA classification I, and 7 to II. There was no patient with SPO2 < 95%, or ETCO2 ≥ 50 mmHg, or increase in ETCO2 ≥ 10 mmHg from the pre-sedation value. However, 5 patients had an ETCO2 ≤ 30 mmHg, and 4 of them (8.2%) had normal respiratory rate and were suitable for hypopneic hypoventilation. Ten patients showed abnormal range of ETCO2 (normal range, 35–45 mmHg), but did not meet the definition of hypoventilation. No one had clinically serious respiratory events. Conclusion During sedation using IM ketamine, 8.2% of the patients had hypopneic hypoventilation without hypoxemia, and they were all younger than 36 months. Capnography for patients sedated using IM ketamine in the ED is useful in detecting hypopneic hypoventilation, and has the potential for preventing clinically serious respiratory events in patients, especially toddlers

Динаміка та аналіз виробничого травматизму та професійних захворювань в Україні

Кожного року в Україні на виробництві травмується понад 10 тис. людей, з них гине понад 600 осіб. Оптимістична, на перший погляд, статистика, за якою травматизм на виробництві за роки незалежності України зменшився в десять разів, виявляється не такою вже й оптимістичною, коли аналізуються конкретні цифри