1.Screening of Interleukin-12/interleukin-23 p40 Inducers in Rheumatoid Synovial Fluids by Fluorescence Reporter Mouse System.
Jungeun KIM ; Mi La CHO ; Seokmann HONG ; Won Kyu KIM ; Jeehee YOUN
Korean Journal of Physical Anthropology 2006;19(3):205-214
Although rheumatoid arthritis has been known to be a common autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation mainly evident in diarthrodial joints, its pathogenesis remains to be clarified. In the present study, to investigate the pathogenic signaling system taken place in the rheumatoid joints, we assessed whether synovial fluid obtained from patients with rheumatoid arthritis contains inducers for proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23. Peritoneal macrophages isolated from IL-12/IL-23 p40-YFP reporter mice were stimulated with synovial fluid, followed by flow cytometry to screen CD11b+ and YFP-expressing cells, reflective of IL-12/IL-23 p40-producing macrophages. The expression levels of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 and -4, which have a potential to mediate IL-12/IL- 23 p40 induction, were determined in synovial cells obtained from a patient with rheumatoid arthritis by RT-PCR analyses. One out of 10 synovial fluid from rheumatoid arthritis patients induced IL-12/IL-23 p40 expression, while all of 10 synovial fluid from osteoarthritis patients did not. Synoviocytes constitutively expressed Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 and -4 which are candidate receptors for IL-12/IL-23 inducers. Upon LPS stimulation, the levels of TLR-2 and -4 were downregulated and upregulated, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that some patients with rheumatoid arthritis elicit synovitis through TLR-2- and -4-mediated induction of proinflammatory cytokines IL-12 and IL-23.
Animals
;
Arthritis, Rheumatoid
;
Autoimmune Diseases
;
Cytokines
;
Flow Cytometry
;
Fluorescence*
;
Humans
;
Inflammation
;
Interleukin-12
;
Interleukin-23
;
Interleukins
;
Joints
;
Macrophages
;
Macrophages, Peritoneal
;
Mass Screening*
;
Mice*
;
Osteoarthritis
;
Synovial Fluid*
;
Synovitis
;
Toll-Like Receptors
2.Cancer attributable to occupational factors: a focus on primary prevention
Eun Mi KIM ; Jeehee MIN ; Inah KIM
Journal of the Korean Medical Association 2025;68(2):121-129
Occupational cancers arise from exposure to carcinogenic agents during work activities and represent a significant public health challenge. In Korea, compensation for occupational cancers has been available since 1964, with asbestos related mesothelioma recognized in 1993. Estimating the population attributable fraction (PAF) using national surveys and epidemiological studies is critical for assessing regulatory impact and forecasting future disease burden.Current Concepts: The International Agency for Research on Cancer categorizes carcinogens into distinct groups, and nearly 47 agents have been identified as relevant to occupational exposures. Advanced assessment tools, including job exposure matrices and the CAREX (CARcinogen EXposure) program, have been developed to accurately estimate exposure prevalence across industries. Comparative studies from Korea, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Italy, and China indicate that the occupational cancer PAF ranges from approximately 1% to 8%. Notably, asbestos, welding fumes, diesel engineexhaust and emerging exposures such as night shift work are consistently recognized as major contributors to occupational cancer risk.Discussion and Conclusion: Although regulatory measures have successfully reduced exposure to several known carcinogens, long latency periods and evolving industrial practices continue to sustain the burden of occupational cancers. Incorporating detailed occupational histories in clinical assessments can facilitate early detection and targeted interventions. Ongoing refinement of exposure estimation methods and international collaboration remain essential for updating PAF calculations. Ultimately, proactive primary prevention and evidence-based regulatory policies are imperative to mitigate the impact of occupational carcinogens on cancer incidence and mortality. These findings underscore the urgency of continuous monitoring and targeted occupational health initiatives.
3.Cancer attributable to occupational factors: a focus on primary prevention
Eun Mi KIM ; Jeehee MIN ; Inah KIM
Journal of the Korean Medical Association 2025;68(2):121-129
Occupational cancers arise from exposure to carcinogenic agents during work activities and represent a significant public health challenge. In Korea, compensation for occupational cancers has been available since 1964, with asbestos related mesothelioma recognized in 1993. Estimating the population attributable fraction (PAF) using national surveys and epidemiological studies is critical for assessing regulatory impact and forecasting future disease burden.Current Concepts: The International Agency for Research on Cancer categorizes carcinogens into distinct groups, and nearly 47 agents have been identified as relevant to occupational exposures. Advanced assessment tools, including job exposure matrices and the CAREX (CARcinogen EXposure) program, have been developed to accurately estimate exposure prevalence across industries. Comparative studies from Korea, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Italy, and China indicate that the occupational cancer PAF ranges from approximately 1% to 8%. Notably, asbestos, welding fumes, diesel engineexhaust and emerging exposures such as night shift work are consistently recognized as major contributors to occupational cancer risk.Discussion and Conclusion: Although regulatory measures have successfully reduced exposure to several known carcinogens, long latency periods and evolving industrial practices continue to sustain the burden of occupational cancers. Incorporating detailed occupational histories in clinical assessments can facilitate early detection and targeted interventions. Ongoing refinement of exposure estimation methods and international collaboration remain essential for updating PAF calculations. Ultimately, proactive primary prevention and evidence-based regulatory policies are imperative to mitigate the impact of occupational carcinogens on cancer incidence and mortality. These findings underscore the urgency of continuous monitoring and targeted occupational health initiatives.
4.Cancer attributable to occupational factors: a focus on primary prevention
Eun Mi KIM ; Jeehee MIN ; Inah KIM
Journal of the Korean Medical Association 2025;68(2):121-129
Occupational cancers arise from exposure to carcinogenic agents during work activities and represent a significant public health challenge. In Korea, compensation for occupational cancers has been available since 1964, with asbestos related mesothelioma recognized in 1993. Estimating the population attributable fraction (PAF) using national surveys and epidemiological studies is critical for assessing regulatory impact and forecasting future disease burden.Current Concepts: The International Agency for Research on Cancer categorizes carcinogens into distinct groups, and nearly 47 agents have been identified as relevant to occupational exposures. Advanced assessment tools, including job exposure matrices and the CAREX (CARcinogen EXposure) program, have been developed to accurately estimate exposure prevalence across industries. Comparative studies from Korea, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Italy, and China indicate that the occupational cancer PAF ranges from approximately 1% to 8%. Notably, asbestos, welding fumes, diesel engineexhaust and emerging exposures such as night shift work are consistently recognized as major contributors to occupational cancer risk.Discussion and Conclusion: Although regulatory measures have successfully reduced exposure to several known carcinogens, long latency periods and evolving industrial practices continue to sustain the burden of occupational cancers. Incorporating detailed occupational histories in clinical assessments can facilitate early detection and targeted interventions. Ongoing refinement of exposure estimation methods and international collaboration remain essential for updating PAF calculations. Ultimately, proactive primary prevention and evidence-based regulatory policies are imperative to mitigate the impact of occupational carcinogens on cancer incidence and mortality. These findings underscore the urgency of continuous monitoring and targeted occupational health initiatives.
5.Rheumatoid Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes Downregulate Foxp3 Expression by Regulatory T Cells Via GITRL/GITR Interaction.
Immune Network 2012;12(5):217-221
Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) colocalize with leukocyte infiltrates in rheumatoid synovia. Proinflammatory leukocytes are known to amplify inflammation by signaling to FLS, but crosstalk between FLS and regulatory T cells (Tregs) remains uncharacterized. To address this possibility, we cocultured FLS lines derived from arthritic mice with Tregs. FLS that expressed the ligand for glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor family-related gene (GITR) decreased expression of Foxp3 and GITR in Tregs in a contact-dependent manner. This effect was abolished by blocking antibody to GITR. On the other hand, the Tregs caused the FLS to increase IL-6 production. These results demonstrate that inflamed FLS license Tregs to downregulate Foxp3 expression via the GITRL/GITR interaction while the Tregs induce the FLS to increase their production of IL-6. Our findings suggest that the interaction between FLS and Tregs dampens the anti-inflammatory activity of Tregs and amplifies the proinflammatory activity of FLS, thereby exacerbating inflammatory arthritis.
Animals
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Arthritis
;
Hand
;
Inflammation
;
Interleukin-6
;
Leukocytes
;
Licensure
;
Mice
;
Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
;
Synovial Fluid
;
T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
6.Descriptive analysis of prevalence and medical expenses of cancer, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, psychiatric disease, and musculoskeletal disease in Korean firefighters
Jeehee MIN ; Yangwoo KIM ; Hye Sim KIM ; Jiyoung HAN ; Inah KIM ; Jaechul SONG ; Sang Baek KOH ; Tae Won JANG
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2020;32(1):7-
Cardiovascular Diseases
;
Drug Costs
;
Fees and Charges
;
Firefighters
;
Health Expenditures
;
Hospitalization
;
Humans
;
International Classification of Diseases
;
Korea
;
Mental Disorders
;
Musculoskeletal Diseases
;
Myocardial Ischemia
;
National Health Programs
;
Occupational Groups
;
Outpatients
;
Police
;
Prevalence
;
Stomach Neoplasms
7.Descriptive analysis of prevalence and medical expenses of cancer, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, psychiatric disease, and musculoskeletal disease in Korean firefighters
Jeehee MIN ; Yangwoo KIM ; Hye Sim KIM ; Jiyoung HAN ; Inah KIM ; Jaechul SONG ; Sang Baek KOH ; Tae Won JANG
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2020;32(1):e7-
BACKGROUND:
Firefighters are exposed to many dangerous working conditions. Many studies have identified the risk of disease for firefighters, but only a few studies have addressed the medical expenses of firefighters, which represents a concrete scale of disease. Our purpose in this study was to determine the medical expenditures of firefighters to assess the overall scale of disease in Korea. We focused on cancer, mental disorders, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, and musculoskeletal disease, the prevalence of which was expected to be high in firefighters.
METHODS:
This study utilized National Health Insurance Service data. We targeted firefighters, police officers, and government officials. We classified disease based on the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems codes. We compared prevalence by the age-standardized prevalence rate, considering standard distribution of the population. Medical expenditure of disease was defined as outpatient fees, hospitalization fees, and drug costs. Total medical expenditures were calculated by the sum of those 3 categories.
RESULTS:
The age-standardized prevalence of cancer, mental disorders, and cardiovascular disease in firefighters was slightly higher than or similar to that of government officials and police officers (no significant difference). However, medical expenditures for stomach cancer, mental disorders, and most cardio-cerebrovascular diseases were higher in firefighters than in others. In particular, firefighters spent 12 times more money for ischemic heart disease than did government officials. Of musculoskeletal diseases, lumbar disc disorder had the highest expenditures among firefighters.
CONCLUSIONS
The age-standardized prevalence of most of diseases of firefighters was not as high as in the other groups, but the medical expenses of firefighters were much higher than those of government officials and police officers.
8.Descriptive analysis of prevalence and medical expenses of cancer, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, psychiatric disease, and musculoskeletal disease in Korean firefighters
Jeehee MIN ; Yangwoo KIM ; Hye Sim KIM ; Jiyoung HAN ; Inah KIM ; Jaechul SONG ; Sang Baek KOH ; Tae Won JANG
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2020;32(1):e7-
BACKGROUND:
Firefighters are exposed to many dangerous working conditions. Many studies have identified the risk of disease for firefighters, but only a few studies have addressed the medical expenses of firefighters, which represents a concrete scale of disease. Our purpose in this study was to determine the medical expenditures of firefighters to assess the overall scale of disease in Korea. We focused on cancer, mental disorders, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, and musculoskeletal disease, the prevalence of which was expected to be high in firefighters.
METHODS:
This study utilized National Health Insurance Service data. We targeted firefighters, police officers, and government officials. We classified disease based on the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems codes. We compared prevalence by the age-standardized prevalence rate, considering standard distribution of the population. Medical expenditure of disease was defined as outpatient fees, hospitalization fees, and drug costs. Total medical expenditures were calculated by the sum of those 3 categories.
RESULTS:
The age-standardized prevalence of cancer, mental disorders, and cardiovascular disease in firefighters was slightly higher than or similar to that of government officials and police officers (no significant difference). However, medical expenditures for stomach cancer, mental disorders, and most cardio-cerebrovascular diseases were higher in firefighters than in others. In particular, firefighters spent 12 times more money for ischemic heart disease than did government officials. Of musculoskeletal diseases, lumbar disc disorder had the highest expenditures among firefighters.
CONCLUSIONS
The age-standardized prevalence of most of diseases of firefighters was not as high as in the other groups, but the medical expenses of firefighters were much higher than those of government officials and police officers.
9.Data profile: the Korean Workers’ Compensation-National Health Insurance Service (KoWorC-NHIS) cohort
Jeehee MIN ; Eun Mi KIM ; Jaiyong KIM ; Jungwon JANG ; Youngjin CHOI ; Inah KIM
Epidemiology and Health 2024;46(1):e2024071-
The Korean Workers’ Compensation-National Health Insurance Service (KoWorC-NHIS) cohort was established to investigate the longitudinal health outcomes of Korean workers who have been compensated for occupational injuries or diseases. This cohort study, which utilized data spanning from 2004 to 2015, merged workers’ compensation insurance claim data with the National Health Insurance Database (NHID), encompassing 858,793 participants. The data included socio-demographic factors such as age, sex, income, address, insurance type, and disability grade. It also covered the types of occupational accidents, International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision codes for diseases or accidents, work tenure, industry, occupation code, and company size. Additional details such as the occupational hire date, date of claim, date of recognition, and affected body parts were recorded. The cohort predominantly consisted of male workers (80.0%), with the majority experiencing their first occupational accident in their 40s (27.6%) or 50s (25.3%). Notably, 93.1% of the cases were classified as occupational injuries. By integrating this data with that from the NHID, updates on health utilization, employment status, and income changes were made annually. The follow-up period for this study is set to conclude in 2045.
10.The impact of long working hours on daily sodium intake
Kyungho JU ; Yangwoo KIM ; Seung Hee WOO ; Juhyeong KIM ; Inah KIM ; Jaechul SONG ; Soo-Jin LEE ; Jeehee MIN
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2024;36(1):e9-
Long working hours are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, yet the underlying mechanism(s) remain unclear. The study examines how occupational factors like working hours, shift work, and employment status correlate with dietary choices and sodium intake, impacting hypertension risk. This study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2013 and 2020. The dataset included 8,471 respondents, all of whom were wage workers aged 20 or older and reported working at least 36 hours per week. Individuals who have been previously diagnosed with or are currently diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia were excluded. The average daily sodium intake was assessed via a 24-hour dietary recall method. Average weekly working hours were categorized into 3 groups: 36–40 hours, 41–52 hours, and over 52 hours. Multiple logistic regression models were used. Study findings revealed that 83.7% of participants exceeded the recommended daily sodium intake of 2 g set by the World Health Organization. After adjusting for confounding factors, a positive correlation was observed between average working hours and daily sodium intake. Among males, statistical significance was found in the group with average weekly working hours of 41–52 hours (prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.17; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.30) and the group exceeding 52 hours (PR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.09–1.38) when comparing the fourth quartile of daily sodium intake to the combined quartiles of Q1, Q2, and Q3. Among females, no significance was noted. Long working hours were associated with increased sodium intake, primarily among male workers. This connection is likely attributed to having less time for home-cooked meals, resulting in higher fast food consumption and dining out. A workplace intervention promoting healthy eating and reducing stress is essential to lower sodium consumption and mitigate hypertension risk.