It has been studied that a variety of fauna and flora are sensitive biological indicators which reflect the severity of regional pollution of heavy metals, but in the center of part of Taegu city the controversial issue of lead poisoning attributable to the atmosphere which contains an increased concentrations of lead has been raised recently, it is usually hard to find suitable plants or animal in the areas with heavy traffic. Pigeons are ubiquitous in and around Taegu city area, inhabiting even the most densely populated areas with heavy traffic with its small body size, high metabolic turnover, and rather limited mobility, a pigeon, as a biological indicator is expected. This study was conducted to monitor lead pollution in the Taegu and kyongju city in Korea. We measured the lead content of the various tissue of three groups of feral pigeon(Columbia livia) and soil and atmospheric lead concentration. First group was obtained io heavy traffic area in Taegu City, the second group was obtained a park in Taegu city and the third group was obtained light traffic area in kyongju city. The air and soil lead concentration of heavy traffic area in Taegu city was 0.11 microgram/m2, 4.96 microgram/g, that of park in Taegu city was 0.05 microgram/m3, 2.65 microgram/g and that of light traffic area in kyonngju city was 0.03 microgram/m3, 0.01 microgram/g. The lead content of lung, blood, kidney, femur and liver of feral pigeons in heavy traffic area in Taegu city was significantly higher than pigeons obtained in a park in Taegu city and low traffic density area in Kyonfju city(p<0.01). But stomach lead content of three group did not reflect a significant difference. In this study positive correlation was found between atmospheric lead concentrations and the concentration of lead in the pigeon's lung(r=0.5040, p<0.001), blood(r=0.3322, p<0.01), kidney(r=0.4824, p<0.001), femur(r=0.7214, p<0.001) and liverer (r=0.4836, p<0.01). we can also found positive correlation between soil lead concentrations and the concentration of lead in the pigeon's femur(r=0.4850, p<0.001), kidney(r=0.4850, p<0.001) and liver(r=0.4386, p<0.01). In the pigeon`s tissue there were significant correlations between concentration of lead in the blood and kidney(r=0.4818, p<0.001), femur(r= 0.6157, p<0.001) and liver(r=0.3889, p<0.001). In conclusion, at the heavy traffic area in Taegu city, lead concentrations found in the atmosphere and soil are reflected in the lead concentrations of different tissue of urban pigeons. It is suggested that the tissue of pigeons can be good biological indicators of environmental lead pollution.
Animals ; Atmosphere ; Body Size ; Columbidae ; Daegu ; Femur ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Kidney ; Korea ; Lead Poisoning ; Liver ; Lung ; Metals, Heavy ; Soil* ; Stomach

The 1,783 patients with eye injuries, including the 234 in-patients, who visited the Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul Adventist Hospital from Jan. 1, 1987 to Dec. 31, 1988 were clinically analyzed. The results were as follows: 1. The incidence of ocular injuries was 4.7% of all eye patients, and 25.5% of all patients admitted to this ophthalmologic department. 2. The incidence was more common in male(76,8%)and in the age of 3rd to 4th decades(47.0%). 3. The ocular injuries were more common in the spring(27.3%), and in March. 4. The most common cause of ocular injuries was sand or dust or iron piece(29.8%), followed by fist or finger(12.2%) and traffic accident(12.5%), but the injuries by iron products(20.1%) were the most common in the admitted patients. 5. The most common ocular injury was conjunctival foreign body(23.7%), followed by subconjunctival hemorrhage (20.6%) and (9.5%). In the cases of in-patients, hyphema(24.2%) was the most coommon, followed by corneal lacera tion(12.2%) and eyelid laceration(11.2%). 6. Surgical procedure included corneal suture(18.3%), primary closure of eyelid and face(22.2%). 7. Visual acuity was improved in most cases by treatment, but the corrected vision after treatment was less than 0.1 in 20.5%, which was mainly due to the perforating eye injuries. 8. The most common complication of ocular injuries after treatment was corneal opacity(34.1%), followed by vitreous opacity(9.4%).
Dust ; Eye Injuries ; Eyelids ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hyphema ; Incidence ; Iron ; Ophthalmology ; Seoul ; Silicon Dioxide ; Visual Acuity

An investigation on psychophysiological health and social well-being of shift workers been carried out on workers of a automobile manufacturing plant in Ulsan. for 1 month from April, 1993. This cross-sectional survey compared shift workers(n=544) with day workers(n=l15). Each subject completed a questionnaire about his personal habit background. shift schedule. sleep and eating patterns. subjective digestive symptom and psychological well-being and distress using the General Well-Being schedule(GWB) by self administrated questionnaire that was developed for the U. S. Health and Nutrition Examination surveys (HANES I). chi-square analysis was used for discontinuous data and the t-test was used for continous data to determine whether differences noted between the two groups. In terms of sleep quality, a greater percentage of shift workers frequently had trouble getting back to sleep once awakend(p<0.01) and a greater percentage of shift workers awakend tired or sleepy frequently more often than day workers(p<0.05). In rating the quality of their sleep, more shift workers rated their sleep fair to poor than day workers, and greater percentage of shift workers felt tired or sleepy at work two or more times per week(p<0.01) and a much higher percentage of shift workers felt tired or sleepy after work every days(p<0.01). In terms of sleep patterns, a much higher percentage of day workers reported uninterrupted sleep per 24hours than shift workers. The shift workers reported different eating patterns from day workers but there were no statistically significant and rate of their appetite. Thirteen percent of day workers reported the best appetite but only 6.6% of shift workers had the best appetite. The gastric complaints is more frequent in shift workers than day workers(p<0.01). Among subscores in General Well-Being Schedule, anxiety, depression, positive well-being and vitality subscale of shift workers were lower than those of day workers(p<0.05) and general health and self control subscale of shift workers were lower than those of day workers but there were no statistical significant difference. Based on these study result, it could be concluded that the shift work has significant effects on some psychophysiological conditions of the workers.
Anxiety ; Appetite ; Appointments and Schedules ; Automobiles* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression ; Eating ; Humans ; Plants* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Ulsan

This study was conducted to measure the lead level in the blood, scalp hair and toenail of the elementary schoolchildren and assess the relationship among those samples. Lead concentration of the blood, scalp hair and toenail was measured for l00(male 50, female 50) fourth grade elementary schoolchildren in Taegu city. The mean lead level in the blood, scalp hair and toenail was 6.00+/-2.44 microgram/dl, 6.28+/-3.54 microgram/dl 6. 68 and 7.33+/-3.18 microgram/g. The mean lead level in the blood of schoolboys was 6.43+/-2.77 microgram/dl and that of schoolgirls was 5.59+/-2.01 microgram/dl. The mean lead level in the scalp hair of schoolboys was 7.66+/-2.97 microgram/dl and that of schoolgirls was 6.88+/-3.54 microgram/g. The mean lead level in the toenail of schoolboys was 8.19+/-3.5 microgram/g and that of schoolgirls was 6.47+/-2.52 microgram/g and their difference was statistically significant. In schoolboys, the correlation coefficient between the lead level in the blood and scalp hair was 0.4909, and the data were fitted best by the regression equation Y=0.5255X+4.2810, where Y and X are scalp hair and blood concentration. In schoolgirls the correlation coefficient between the lead level in the blood and scalp hair was 0.3778, and the data were fitted best by the regression equation Y=0.6655X+2.9632, where Y and X are scalp hair and blood concentration. In schoolboys. the correlation coefficient between the lead level in the blood and in the toenail was 0.5533, and the data were fitted best by the regression equation Y=0.7076X+3.6472, where Y and X are toenail and blood concentration. In schoolgirls the correlation coefficient between the lead level in the blood and in the toenail was 0.2738, and the data were fitted best by the regression equation Y=0.3431X+4.5570 where Y and X are toenail and blood concentration. In schoolboys, the correlation coefficient between the lead level in the scalp hair and in the toenail, in the schoolboys was 0.4148, and the data were fitted best by the regression equation Y=0.4956X+4.3986, where Y and X are toenail and scalp hair concentration. In schoolgirls the correlation coefficient between the lead level in the scalp hair and in the toenail 0.1159, and the data were fitted best by the regression equation Y=0.0825X+5.9214 here Y and X are toenail and scalp hair concentration. Correlation among lead concentration in the blood, scalp hair and toenail of schoolchildren were statistically significant except between scalp hair and toenail in schoolgirls. These finding suggest that blood, scalp hair and toenail can be used substitutive samples between each others.
Daegu ; Female ; Hair* ; Humans ; Nails* ; Scalp*

No abstract available.
Mucous Membrane* ; Muramidase* ; Turbinates*

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of Bath and Sauna on IOP, BP, PR, and BT. This study was performed in 120 eyes of 60 volunteers. The IOP, BP, PR, and BT were taken before and after Bath and Sauna. The results of this study are briefly summarized as follows; A. Changes and significance of IOP. 1. The mean of IOP was 13.43 +/- 2.4mmHg before Bath and 16.98 +/- 2.7mmHg just after Bath. This change was statistically significant(P<0.01). 2. The mean of IOP was 13.43 +/- 2.7mmHg before Wet Sauna and 14.12 +/- 3.6mmHg just after Wet Sauna. This change was not statistically significant(P>0.05). 3. The mean of IOP was 12.64 +/- 2.1mmHg before Dry Sauna and 15.45 +/- 2.8mmHg just after Dry Sauna. This change was statistically significant(P<0.01). B. Changes and significance of BP. 1. Changes of systolic pressure between Before and After Bath, Wet Sauna, and Dry Sauna were statistically significant(P<0.01). 2. Changes of diastolic pressure between Before and After Bath, Wet Sauna, and Dry Sauna were statistically significant(P<0.01). C. Changes and significance of PR and BT Changes of PR(0.01 Baths* ; Blood Pressure ; Body Temperature* ; Steam Bath* ; Volunteers

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted in order to evaluate an education program for cardio-cerebrovascular high-risk patients. METHODS: To evaluate patients' quality of life, EQ-5D was used and an organized survey was conducted via calls and interviews for hypertension, diabetes patients who had visited the KHyDDI(Korea Hypertension Diabetes DaeguInitiative) education center or 70 clinics through out the nation. RESULTS: The subjects included 537 patients, 320 of who were in the clinic education and 217 of who were in the education center program. Sixty eight of the subjects went through the EQ-5D evaluation before and after the education program. In the EQ-5D index distribution of their quality of life before the education program, there was a statistically significant difference in gender(p<0.001) with higher points among males. Regarding age, there was a statistically significant difference between those aged over 65 years and under 65(p<0.001), with higher points in the group under the age of 65. Further, the EQ-5D 5 scope index was statistically significant different before and after receiving the education(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Therefore, the KHyDDI staged education program is effective for improving the quality of life. Moreover, it could contribute to the complications of the disease through a variety of approaches by considering both gender and age.

Community health projects focusing on secondary prevention of diabetic macrovascular diseases have become increasingly common. In Daegu, Korea, a metropolitan hypertension diabetes management project has been developed in which community primary physicians refer clinic patients to education centers or clinical education teams for target education on lifestyle modification through technology-based information networks. Call centers provide information on lifestyle management and encourage continuous treatment through periodic calls and SMS. Integrative education is presented by doctors, dietitians, exercise specialists, and nurses. This project was developed in response to an educational need study of patients and educators. Patients participating in the program showed significant improvement in both self-efficiency and in clinical outcomes.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Information Services ; Korea ; Life Style ; Nutrition Therapy ; Secondary Prevention ; Specialization

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to estimate the risk factors affecting the farmers'syndrome of vinylhouse and non-vinylhouse farmers in the Gyeongbuk Province rural area. METHODS: As a cross-sectional study, a questionnaire survey was conducted from 2003 to 2005. Data was collected from 243 vinylhouse farmers and 236 non-vinylhouse farmers. The data from 394 subjects were used for the final analysis. We surveyed their lifestyle, 8 components of farmers'syndrome and characteristics of farm work. RESULTS: For the vinylhouse and non-vinylhouse workers, 32.0% and 34.0% were positive for farmers syndrome, while 48.3% and 43.5% were suspicious, respectively. The differences between the two groups were not significant. For both groups, the most frequent symptom of farmers'syndrome was lumbago, followed by paresthesia of hand or foot, and shoulder stiffness. Among the vinylhouse workers, the rates of wearing protective equipment and washing the skin after spraying pesticide were significantly lower than among the non-vinylhouse workers. From multiple logistic regression analysis, the risk factors significantly associated with farmers'syndrome were sex {odds ratio (OR)=3.12, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.42-6.89} and hours of farming per day (OR=2.63, 95%CI=1.22-5.65) among vinylhouse workers. However, sex (OR=4.24, 95%CI=1.87-9.65) was the only the risk factor significantly associated with farmers'syndrome among the non-vinylhouse workers. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, educational programs and attention to the female farmers were needed in particular. In addition, it was recommended that the farmers wear protective equipment continuously from opening the coverlets of the pesticide container to the completion of pesticide spraying, and wash the skin immediately after contact with pesticides.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Foot ; Gyeongsangbuk-do* ; Hand ; Humans ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Low Back Pain ; Paresthesia ; Pesticides ; Questionnaires ; Risk Factors* ; Shoulder ; Skin

BACKGROUNDS: There is difference of blood flow between right and left lung, and it is also affected by positional change. The purpose of this study is to compare hemodynamics and arterial blood gas changes between two lungs in thoracoscopic surgery with CO2 insufflation METHODS: Fourteen thoracoscopic-surgical patient were randomly selected and divided into two groups; Group I : right lung ventilation, Group II: left lung ventilation. Blood gas analysis, blood pressure and heart rate were measured at three stages in lateral position; stage I: 10minutes after two-lung ventilation, stage II: 10minutes after one-lung ventilation and CO2 insufflation, stage III: 10minutes after two-lung ventilation and CO2 deflation. RESULTS: In both groups, blood pressure and heart rate were slightly increased at stage II, pH was decreased, PaO2 and PaCO2 were increased at stage II and stage III. But changes of pH and PaCO2 were greater in left lung ventilation. Arterial oxygen saturation and base excess did not change in all stages. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic surgery with CO2 insufflation did not increase the risk of hypoxemia if FiO2 is 1.0. However blood CO2 retension is higher in left lung ventilation than in right one. So we have to observe PaCO2 more carefully when the left lung is ventilated.
Anoxia ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Blood Group Antigens ; Blood Pressure ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Insufflation* ; Lung* ; One-Lung Ventilation ; Oxygen ; Thoracoscopy* ; Ventilation*