No abstract available.
Bombs

OBJECTIVES: This study is a cross-sectional study to investigate the frequency of humidifier and humidifier disinfectant usage in the general population. METHODS: A questionnaire was applied to 94 subjects (46 male, 48 female) from the general population of Gyeonggi Province. The questionnaire consisted of 3 scales (general characteristics, 5 items about humidifier usage, 5 items about humidifier disinfectant usage). RESULTS: Thirty-five (37.2%) of the 94 subjects use a humidifier and humidifier disinfectant usage was found to be 18.1%. The frequency of humidifier usage is 4.8 times per a week and the humidifier disinfectant usage is 2.4 times per a week. Humidifier usage rate was highest in January. and then tended to rise gradually from October. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study population was not representative, we can say that approximately 50 percent of the humidifier users use a humidifier disinfectant and the trend of using a humidifier has shown seasonality.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Seasons ; Weights and Measures ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: The current use of humidifier detergent and its harmful impact on humans has arisen as a societal environmental health issue. Therefore, in this study we aimed to explore the relationship between demo-socio characteristics and humidifier use, as well as the monthly usage changes in pregnant women; thus, we report the actual status of humidifier usage of Korea's pregnant population. METHODS: From a birth cohort of a Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study, 1,144 pregnant women who responded through questionnaires including demo-socio characteristics, obstetric status and household environment including whether they use humidifier and frequency of use were included in this study. Statistical analyses were performed to explore the relationship between maternal characteristics and the relevance of the use of humidifiers was performed using a chi-square test, a t-test and univariate logistic regression analysis. The monthly usage rate was demonstrated in the graph. RESULTS: The humidifier usage rate in pregnant women was 28.2%. The average frequency of humidifier usage was 4.6 days per week, 7.3 hours per day. The usage rate was higher in the multipara group and the above the age of 34 age group than in the primipara and below the age of 34 groups. Seoul showed a higher usage rate than Cheonan and Ulsan and as the education level and income increased, the usage rate of humidifiers among pregnant women also increased. In the monthly trend of usage rate, the winter season showed the highest usage rate of over 45% and the lowest in late summer and beginning of fall with a value of 12% or less. CONCLUSIONS: During pregnancy, the mother's body is especially vulnerable to hazardous environmental exposure that not only affects the pregnant woman but also the fetus. Further research is still needed to elucidate the route and effect of environmental risk factors. Therefore, based on precautionary and preventive principles, special interest and caution in harmful environments are strongly needed not only at an individual level but also at a national level.
Cohort Studies ; Detergents ; Environmental Exposure ; Environmental Health ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Mothers ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No abstract available.
Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Humans ; Stress, Psychological

OBJECTIVES: Childhood allergic diseases are a major concern because they lead to a heavy economic burden and poor quality of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of childhood atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and the comorbidity of allergic diseases in Seoul, Korea. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey between May and October 2010 to evaluate the prevalence of childhood allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis, using a questionnaire from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood group. Each questionnaire was completed by the parent or guardian of a child. RESULTS: In the 31,201 children studied, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis symptoms in the past 12 months was 19.3% in children 0 to 3 years of age, 19.7% in children 4 to 6 years of age, 16.7% in children 7 to 9 years of age, and 14.5% in children 10 to 13 years of age (p for trend < 0.001). The prevalence of asthma in these age groups was 16.5%, 9.8%, 6.5%, and 5.4%, respectively (p for trend < 0.001). The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in these age groups was 28.5%, 38.0%, 38.5%, and 35.9%, respectively (p for trend = 0.043). The percentage of subjects with both atopic dermatitis and asthma, both asthma and allergic rhinitis, or both atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis was 2.5%, 4.7%, and 8.7%, respectively. The prevalence of comorbid allergic diseases decreased with age (p for trend < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that the prevalence of some allergic diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and asthma, was relatively high in very young children and that all of the principal allergic diseases in children often co-exist.
Asthma ; Child ; Comorbidity ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Parents ; Prevalence ; Quality of Life ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: Modafinil is a waking drug prescribed to narcolepsy patients, but its usage among healthy individuals is increasing to enhance their alertness or to mitigate fatigue. This study was conducted to investigate practical use and toxic effects on neuro-immune interaction of modafinil. METHODS: This study reviewed the significance of psychoactive drugs, and discussed the benefits and risks of the application of modafinil, which seems to be ideal as an anti-psychotic or anti-fatigue agent. RESULTS: Modafinil is known to have less or no adverse effects than those found in traditional psychostimulants such as amphetamine, methylphenidate or cocaine. It can be applied as an anti-psychotic or anti-fatigue agent. However, the waking mechanism of modafinil is yet to be fully revealed. Recent studies reported that modafinil may be subject to abuse and addiction. In addition prolonged sleeplessness induces stress responses and impairs immune function. CONCLUSIONS: Modafinil can be used by anyone, who wishes to work late, stay awake, enhance their cognitive reactions, or brighten their moods. Users may already be under a great level of stress, i.e. cancer patients or soldiers in a battle field. A psychoneuroimmunological approach is thus needed to investigate the multi-functional effects of modafinil.
Amphetamine ; Benzhydryl Compounds ; Central Nervous System Stimulants ; Cocaine ; Fatigue ; Humans ; Methylphenidate ; Military Personnel ; Narcolepsy ; Psychotropic Drugs ; Risk Assessment ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

OBJECTIVES: The goal was to model and quantify the atmospheric concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as the result of the Hebei Spirit oil spill, and to predict whether the exposure levels were abnormally high or not. METHODS: We developed a model for calculating the airborne concentration of VOCs that are produced in an oil spill accident. The model was applied to a practical situation, namely the Hebei Spirit oil spill. The accuracy of the model was verified by comparing the results with previous observation data. The concentrations were compared with the currently used air quality standards. RESULTS: Evaporation was found to be 10- to 1,000-fold higher than the emissions produced from a surrounding industrial complex. The modeled concentrations for benzene failed to meet current labor environmental standards, and the concentration of benzene, toluene, ortho- meta- para-xylene were higher than the values specified by air quality standards and guideline values on the ocean. The concentrations of total VOCs were much higher than indoor environmental criteria for the entire Taean area for a few days. CONCLUSIONS: The extent of airborne exposure was clearly not the same as that for normal conditions.
Benzene ; Humans ; Petroleum Pollution ; Toluene ; Volatile Organic Compounds ; Volatilization ; Xylenes

Corrected Table 3.

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, a number of structurally diverse Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have been identified and these HDAC inhibitors induce growth arrest, differentiation and/or apoptosis of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. This study aimed at investigating the anti-tumor activity of newly synthesized HDAC inhibitor, 3-(4-dimethylamino phenyl)-N-hydroxy-2-propenamide (IN-2001) using human breast cancer cells. METHODS: We have synthesized a new HDAC inhibitor, IN-2001, and cell proliferation inhibition assay with this chemical in estrogen receptor-positive human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Cell cycle analysis on MCF-7 cells treated with IN-2001 was carried out by flow cytometry and gene expression was measured by RT-PCR. RESULTS: In MCF-7 cells IN-2001 showed remarkable anti-proliferative effects in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In MCF-7 cells, IN-2001 showed a more potent growth inhibitory effect than that of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid. These growth inhibitory effects were related to the cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis. IN-2001 showed accumulation of cells at G2/M phase and of the sub-G1 population in a time-dependent manner, representing apoptotic cells. IN-2001-mediated cell cycle arrest was associated with HDAC inhibitor-mediated induction of CDK inhibitor expression. In MCF-7 cells, IN-2001 significantly increased p21WAF1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) induced growth inhibition, possibly through modulation of cell cycle and apoptosis regulatory proteins, such as CDK inhibitors, and cyclins. Taken together, these results provide an insight into the utility of HDAC inhibitors as a novel chemotherapeutic regime for hormone-sensitive and insensitive breast cancer.
Amides ; Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclins ; Estrogens ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression ; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors ; Histone Deacetylases ; Humans ; Hydroxamic Acids ; MCF-7 Cells ; Phosphotransferases ; Propane

OBJECTIVES: Hepatotoxicity of acetaminophen has been widely studied. However, the adverse effects on the heart have not been sufficiently evaluated. This study was performed to investigate cytotoxicity and alterations of gene expression in cultured cardiomyocytes (H9C2 cells) after exposure to acetaminophen. METHODS: H9C2 cells were incubated in a 10 mM concentration of acetaminophen for the designated times (6, 12, and 24 hours), and cytotoxicity was determined by the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method. Alteration of gene expression was observed by microarray analysis, and RT-PCR was performed for the three representative oxidative stress-related genes at 24 hours after treatment. RESULTS: It revealed that acetaminophen was toxic to cardiomyocytes, and numerous critical genes were affected. Induced genes included those associated with oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis. Repressed genes included those associated with cell proliferation, myocardial contraction, and cell shape control. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide the evidences of acetaminophen-induced cytotoxicity and changes in gene expression in cultured cardiomyocytes of H9C2 cells.
Acetaminophen ; Apoptosis ; Benzeneacetamides ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Shape ; DNA Damage ; Gene Expression ; Heart ; Microarray Analysis ; Myocardial Contraction ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; Oxidative Stress ; Piperidones