This study presents the development and validation of a risk assessment program of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). This program was developed by the Korean government (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency) and a private corporation (Korea Telecom, KT), using a national database (Korean animal health integrated system, KAHIS).

Numerous medications have the potential to induce acute pancreatitis. However, isoniazid-induced acute pancreatitis is extremely rare. Drug-induced acute pancreatitis can be diagnosed by improvement after stopping the drug and recurrence of pancreatitis when rechallenged. We present a case of severe acute pancreatitis accompanied by multiple large pseudocysts after isoniazid treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis. We confirmed that isoniazid induced pancreatitis by rechallenging after treatment cessation. Most previous reports of isoniazid-induced pancreatitis have been clinically mild forms, and the patient fully recovered with supportive management. However, this case presents severe and permanent pancreatic damage that developed with 5 weeks of isoniazid treatment. When a patient presents with manifestations of pancreatitis during treatment of tuberculosis that includes isoniazid, the physician should consider isoniazid-induced pancreatitis.
Humans ; Isoniazid ; Pancreatitis ; Recurrence ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; Withholding Treatment

PURPOSE: To evaluate the scanning parameters affecting the apparent sizes of endoluminal lesions of thetracheobronchial tree, as seen on virtual bronchoscopy(VB), and to determine the optimal CT parameters fordemonstrating the real sizes of endobronchial lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Spherical beads of 8 mm - 10 mmdiameter were randomly placed in the airways of fixed pig lung. CT scans were obtained with collimation and pitchof 3 mm/1, 3 mm/1.5, and 5mm/1, respec-tively. Volumetric data were reconstructed with 1mm-, 1.5 mm-, and2mm-collimation for each parameter. VBs were reconstructed with shaded-surface technique and soft tissuealgorithm. A 10mm-sized bead in the trachea and two 8 mm-sized beads in the left main bronchus were selected andtheir longest diameters were measured on VB at varying thresholds from -800 to -2 00HU. RESULTS: When themeasured diameters of beads on VB were recorded as the percentage of real sizes, they were 1) 78.9 %, 77.5%, and73.7% at collimations and pitches of 3 mm/1, 3mm/1.5, and 5 mm/1, respectively; 2) 77.9 %, 76.9 %, and 75.1 % at 1mm, 1.5 mm and 2 mm reconstructions, respectively; 3) 86.2 % / 83.4% / 80.4% / 77.0% / 74.8% / 70.2% / 64.5% atisosurface thresholds of -8 0 0 /-7 0 0 /-6 0 0 /-5 0 0 /-4 0 0 /-3 0 0 /-200HU, re-spectively; 4) 85.6 %, 75.0 %,69.3% at 23 mm, 17 mm and 11mm luminal diameters of lesion location, respectively. CONCLUSION: Overall, thediameters of endobronchial lesions are underestimated on VB. As the isosurface threshold values, collimations,pitches and reconstruction interuals decrease in size, the measured diameters approach to real diameter of thebeads. Beads in peripheral airways appear smaller than those in proximal airways.
Bronchi ; Bronchoscopy* ; Lung ; Phenobarbital ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Trachea

PURPOSE: To analyse the radiographic and HRCT findings of pulmonary sarcoidosis and to evaluate thediagnostic usefulness of HRCT MATERIALS AND METHODS: Initial chest radiographs (n=14) and HRCT scans (n=14), anda followup HRCT scan (n=1) from 14 patients (5 men and 9 women;median age, 38 Years) with biopsy proven pulmonarysarcoidosis were analyzed. RESULT: On initial chest radiographs, they showed pulmonary lesions were seenpredominantly in the middle, upper and lower lung zones in four, two and one patient, respectively. Patterns oflesions were reticulonodular opacities (n=4), air-space (n=2), honeycombing(n=1), macronodule(n=1), and cavitarynodule (n=1). In all patients, HRCT scans demonstrated both pulmonary lesions and intrathoracic lymphadenopathy.Pulmonary lesions were seen predominantly in the middle, lower and upper lung zones in nine, three and twopatients, and in the posterior and anterior lung zones in eight and four patients repectively. Lesions werepredominantly micronodules, with perilymphatic distribution (n=12), macronodules with air-bronchogram (n=1),cavitary macronodules (n=1), ground-glass opacity (n=5), consolidation (n=2), and irregular lines (n=8). CONCLUSION: Reticulonodular lesions in the middle lung zone were seen on radiograph, while the most common HRCTfinding was micronodular lesions with perilymhpatic distribution. HRCT is much more sensitive than chestradiograph for the detection of both pulmonary lesions and lymphadenopathy; this modality revealed micronoduleswhich were invisible on chest radiographs.
Biopsy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Male ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Sarcoidosis ; Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary*

Background: Research on the status of many chemicals used in the semiconductor industry is needed. The purpose of this study was to describe the overall status of chemical use in the semiconductor industry in Korea and to examine it from a health perspective. Methods: Data on the status of chemical use and safety data sheets at 11 of 12 major semiconductor workplaces in Korea were collected. The number of chemical products and chemical constituents, quantities of chemicals, and trade secret ingredients used, as well as the health hazards were examined. Results: On average, 210 chemical products and 135 chemical constituents were used at the surveyed workplaces. Among all chemical products, 33% (range: 16–56%) contained at least one trade secret ingredient. Most of the trade secret ingredients were used in the photolithography process. Several carcinogens, including sulfuric acid, chromic acid, ethylene oxide, crystalline silica, potassium dichromate, and formaldehyde were also used. Only 29% (39 of 135) of the chemical constituents had occupational exposure limits, and more than 60% had no National Fire Protection Association health, safety, and reactivity ratings. Based on the aforementioned results, this study revealed the following. First, many chemical products and constituents are being used in the semiconductor industry and many products contained trade secret ingredients. Second, many products contained significant amounts of carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reproductive toxicant materials. Conclusion We conclude that protecting workers in the semiconductor industry against harm from chemical substances will be difficult, due to widespread use of trade secret ingredients and a lack of hazard information. The findings of the status of chemical use and the health and safety risks in semiconductor industry will contribute to epidemiological studies, safe workplace, and worker health protection.

Background: Research on the status of many chemicals used in the semiconductor industry is needed. The purpose of this study was to describe the overall status of chemical use in the semiconductor industry in Korea and to examine it from a health perspective. Methods: Data on the status of chemical use and safety data sheets at 11 of 12 major semiconductor workplaces in Korea were collected. The number of chemical products and chemical constituents, quantities of chemicals, and trade secret ingredients used, as well as the health hazards were examined. Results: On average, 210 chemical products and 135 chemical constituents were used at the surveyed workplaces. Among all chemical products, 33% (range: 16–56%) contained at least one trade secret ingredient. Most of the trade secret ingredients were used in the photolithography process. Several carcinogens, including sulfuric acid, chromic acid, ethylene oxide, crystalline silica, potassium dichromate, and formaldehyde were also used. Only 29% (39 of 135) of the chemical constituents had occupational exposure limits, and more than 60% had no National Fire Protection Association health, safety, and reactivity ratings. Based on the aforementioned results, this study revealed the following. First, many chemical products and constituents are being used in the semiconductor industry and many products contained trade secret ingredients. Second, many products contained significant amounts of carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reproductive toxicant materials. Conclusion We conclude that protecting workers in the semiconductor industry against harm from chemical substances will be difficult, due to widespread use of trade secret ingredients and a lack of hazard information. The findings of the status of chemical use and the health and safety risks in semiconductor industry will contribute to epidemiological studies, safe workplace, and worker health protection.

Background: There is little information about the airborne hazardous agents released during the heat treatment when manufacturing a welding material. This study aimed to evaluate the airborne hazardous agents generated at welding material manufacturing sites through area sampling. Methods: concentration of airborne particles was measured using a scanning mobility particle sizer and optical particle sizer. Total suspended particles (TSP) and respirable dust samples were collected on polyvinyl chloride filters and weighed to measure the mass concentrations. Volatile organic compounds and heavy metals were analyzed using a gas chromatography mass spectrometer and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer, respectively. Results: The average mass concentration of TSP was 683.1 ± 677.4 μg/m3, with respirable dust accounting for 38.6% of the TSP. The average concentration of the airborne particles less than 10 μm in diameter was 11.2–22.8 × 104 particles/cm3, and the average number of the particles with a diameter of 10–100 nm was approximately 78–86% of the total measured particles (<10 μm). In the case of volatile organic compounds, the heat treatment process concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.05) during combustion than during cooling. The airborne heavy metal concentrations differed depending on the materials used for heat treatment. The content of heavy metals in the airborne particles was approximately 32.6%. Conclusions Nanoparticle exposure increased as the number of particles in the air around the heat treatment process increases, and the ratio of heavy metals in dust generated after the heat treatment process is high, which may adversely affect workers' health.

BACKGROUND: Relationships among portable scanning mobility particle sizer (P-SMPS), condensation particle counter (CPC), and surface area monitor (SAM), which are different metric measurement devices, were investigated, and two widely used research grade (RG)-SMPSs were compared to harmonize the measurement protocols. METHODS: Pearson correlation analysis was performed to compare the relation between P-SMPS, CPC, and SAM and two common RG-SMPS. RESULTS: For laboratory and engineered nanoparticle (ENP) workplaces, correlation among devices showed good relationships. Correlation among devices was fair in unintended nanoparticle (UNP)-emitting workplaces. This is partly explained by the fact that shape of particles was not spherical, although calibration of sampling instruments was performed using spherical particles and the concentration was very high at the UNP workplaces to allow them to aggregate more easily. Chain-like particles were found by scanning electron microscope in UNP workplaces. The CPC or SAM could be used as an alternative instrument instead of SMPS at the ENP-handling workplaces. At the UNP workplaces, where concentration is high, real-time instruments should be used with caution. There are significant differences between the two SMPSs tested. TSI SMPS showed about 20% higher concentration than the Grimm SMPS in all workplaces. CONCLUSIONS: For nanoparticle measurement, CPC and SAM might be useful to find source of emission at laboratory and ENP workplaces instead of P-SMPS in the first stage. An SMPS is required to measure with high accuracy. Caution is necessary when comparing data from different nanoparticle measurement devices and RG-SMPSs.
Calibration ; Nanoparticles*

A successful transplantation, across a positive crossmatch barrier, is one of the most persistent long- standing problems in the field of kidney transplant medicine. The aim of this study was to describe seven consecutive living renal transplantations in recipients with positive crossmatch for donors or positive for donor specific antibodies (DSAs). A preconditioning regimen including plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin was delivered three times a week until the crossmatch and/ or DSAs became negative. Mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus were started two days before the plasmapheresis. The protocol was modified to include administration of anti-CD 20 antibody (rituximab, 375 mg/m(2)) from the patient number 3 through the patient number 7. All seven patients achieved negative conversion of the crossmatch or DSAs, and the kidney transplantations were successfully performed in all cases. Acute cellular rejection occurred in two patients, which were subclinical and controlled with high dose steroid treatment. Antibody-mediated rejection occurred in one patient, which was easily reversed with plasmapheresis. All recipients attained normal graft function during the 7-24 months of follow up. Our study suggests that sensitized patients can be transplanted successfully with desensitization pretreatment.
Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology ; Antigens, CD20/biosynthesis ; Biopsy ; Female ; Graft Rejection ; Graft Survival ; Histocompatibility Testing/methods ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins/chemistry ; Kidney Transplantation/*methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plasmapheresis ; Transplantation Conditioning

Background: Ammonia and hydrogen sulfide are harmful gases generated during aerobic/anaerobic bacterial decomposition of livestock manure. We evaluated ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations generated from workplaces at livestock farms and determined environmental factors influencing the gas concentrations. Methods: Five commercial swine farms and five poultry farms were selected for monitoring. Real-time monitors were used to measure the ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations and environmental conditions during the manure-handling processes. Monitoring was conducted in the manure storage facility and composting facility. Information on the farm conditions was also collected through interview and walk-through survey. Results: The ammonia concentrations were significantly higher at the swine composting facilities (9.5–43.2 ppm) than at other manure-handling facilities at the swine and poultry farms, and high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide were identified during the manure agitation and mixing process at the swine manure storage facilities (6.9–19.5 ppm). At the poultry manure-handling facilities, the ammonia concentration was higher during the manure-handling processes (2.6–57.9 ppm), and very low hydrogen sulfide concentrations (0–3.4 ppm) were detected. The air temperature and relative humidity, volume of the facility, duration of manure storage, and the number of animals influenced the gas concentrations. Conclusion A high level of hazardous gases was generated during manure handling, and some levels increased up to risk levels that can threaten workers' health and safety. Some of the farm operational factors were also found to influence the gas levels. By controlling and improving these factors, it would be possible to protect workers' safety and health from occupational risks.