Application of cold intolerance symptom severity questionnaire among vibrationexposed workers as a screening tool for the early detection of hand-arm vibration syndrome: a cross-sectional study

A Ram Kim,Dae Yun Kim,Ji Soo Kim,Heun Lee,Joo Hyun Sung,Cheolin Yoo 대한직업환경의학회 2019 대한직업환경의학회지 Vol.31 No.-

Background: The detection rate of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is very low in South Korea compared with other countries. The absence of uniform consensus and guidelines for diagnosing HAVS has been presumed to be one of the reasons. The HAVS has various manifestations including cold intolerance and its severity can be measured using the cold intolerance symptom severity (CISS) questionnaire. This study aimed to determine whether the CISS questionnaire, being used as a screening tool, can aid in the early detection of HAVS. Methods: A total of 76 male workers with vibration-induced symptoms were enrolled as the final study participants. To compare the CISS score of healthy individuals, 41 men who had never been exposed to local vibration were included in the study. In addition to the former medical questionnaire, the participants answered the CISS questionnaire. A statistical analysis was conducted to identify the association of CISS scores with vibration induced symptom and to determine its cut off value. Results: The reliability of the CISS questionnaire was proven to be good, with a total Cronbach’s alpha of 0.922. The mean CISS score of the exposed group increased in every vascular stage [stage 0 = 42.6 (18.5); stage 1 = 59.4 (14.1); and over stage 2 = 60.2 (21.6)]. They were significantly higher than that of the non-exposed group. The result was fairly consistent with those in the sensorineural stage. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and area under curve (AUC) of 30 were 88.5, 65.3, 76.1, 82.1 and 0.769, respectively. From the result of logistic regression, the adjusted odds ratio of both components increased by the CISS score grouped by 30s. Conclusions: The self-reported CISS questionnaire, used to measure the degree of cold intolerance, showed high agreement with the Stockholm classification of HAVS. Hence, we recommend the use of this questionnaire to assess the level of cold intolerance among vibration-exposed workers and detect individuals who are at risk of vibration-induced impairment with a cutoff value of 30.

Photochemical Response Analysis on Drought Stress for Red Pepper (Capsiumannuum L.)

Yoo, Sung-Yung,Lee, Yong-Ho,Park, So-Hyun,Choi, Kyong-Mi,Park, June-Young,Kim, A-Ram,Hwang, Su-Min,Lee, Min-Ju,Ko, Tae-Seok,Kim, Tae-Wan 한국토양비료학회 2013 한국토양비료학회지 Vol.46 No.6

The aim of this study is to determine the drought stress index through photochemical analysis in red pepper (Capsiumannuum L.). The photochemical interpretation was performed in the basis of the relation between Kautsky effect and Photosystem II (PSII) following the measurement of chlorophyll, pheophytin contents, and $CO_2$ assimilation in drought stressed 5-week-old red pepper plants. The $CO_2$ assimilation rate was severely lowered with almost 77% reduction of chlorophyll and pheophytin contents at four days after non-irrigation. It was clearly observed that the chlorophyll fluorescence intensity rose from a minimum level (the O level), in less than one second, to a maximum level (the P-level) via two intermediate steps labeled J and I (OJIP process). Drought factor index (DFI) was also calculated using measured OJIP parameters. The DFI was -0.22, meaning not only the initial inhibition of PSII but also sequential inhibition of PSI. In real, most of all photochemical parameters such as quantum yield of the electron transport flux from Quinone A ($Q_A$) to Quinone B ($Q_B$), quantum yield of the electron transport flux until the PSI electron acceptors, quantum yield of the electron transport flux until the PSI electron acceptors, average absorbed photon flux per PSII reaction center, and electron transport flux until PSI acceptors per cross section were profoundly reduced except number of QA reducing reaction centers (RCs) per PSII antenna chlorophyll (RC/ABS). It was illuminated that at least 6 parameters related with quantum yield/efficiency and specific energy fluxes (per active PSII RC) could be applied to be used as the drought stress index. Furthermore, in the combination of parameters, driving forces (DF) for photochemical activity could be deduced from the performance index (PI) for energy conservation from photons absorbed by PSII antenna until the reduction of PSI acceptors. In conclusion, photochemical responses and their related parameters can be used as physiological DFI.

암과 운동에 관한 문헌적 고찰

심유진(Shim, Yoo-Jin),정승삼(Jung, Seung-Sam),김아람(Kim, A-Ram),최승욱(Choi, Seung-Wook) 한국체육과학회 2013 한국체육과학회지 Vol.22 No.6

The purpose of this study is to understand effects of physical exercise program on improvements in mental and physical function and the quality of life through a review of the literature, to provide information about the importance and benefits of exercise for cancer patients, and in order to offer basic data for the development of an exercise program to meet the physical needs of each patient. By taking into consideration the review of the domestic and international literatures, the following results were obtained: First, positive effects of physical exercise program on physical function of cancer patients were reported. Since physical exercise can improve physical function, such as cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and aerobic capacity, and reduced fatigue and improved vitality in cancer patients were observed. In addition, physical activity and exercise have effects on improvements in physical and mental capabilities; they reduce patient distress, anxiety, depression, stress, confusion, and mistrust associated with the emotional mental health improvement that can contribute to improve the quality of life of cancer patients.

Blockade of ALDH activity Can Suppress Properties of Cancer Stem-like Cell in a Mouse of Breast Cancer

A-Ram Choi,Ran-Ju Kim,Jeong-Ran Park,Kyung-Jin Roh,Kyoung-Jin Nho,Soo-Rim Kim,Yoo-Kyung Lee,Jeong-Seok Nam 한국실험동물학회 2010 한국실험동물학회 학술발표대회 논문집 Vol.2010 No.8

Treatment of discoid lupus erythematosus-induced alopecia with fractional photothermolysis laser

( Ga Ram Ahn ),( Yeon A No ),( Kwang Ho Yoo ),( Woon Yong Jung ),( Kapsok Li ),( Beom Joon Kim ),( Chang Kwun Hong ) 대한피부과학회 2016 대한피부과학회 학술발표대회집 Vol.68 No.1

Chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) of the scalp is a common cause of cicatrical alopecia. DLE has been often resistant to the traditional therapy including antimalarial drug such as hydroxychloroquine, systemic steroid, intralesional triamcinolone injection and surgical excision. Fractional laser has been proven effective in treating various hair disorders. Fractional laser has therapeutic effect by creating microscopic thermal zones in the scalp. Eventually, wound healing process may promote anagen hair follicle induction or acceleration of hair cycle progress. A 41-year old male presented with 5-cm sized bald patch on the scalp. Laboratory examination showed positive anti-neutrophil and anti-double strand DNA antibody. With impression of discoid lupus erythematosus, we applied fractional laser and intralesional steroid injection for the alopecic patch and could note favorable response after the 6 sessions of treatment at 4 weeks interval. Herein, we suggest fractional laser as an alternative treatment modality for DLE-induced alopecia.

국제신체활동량 설문지(IPAQ)를 이용한 대학생의 신체활동량과 대사증후군위험요소에 미치는 영향

김아람(Kim, A-Ram),심유진(Shim, Yoo-Jin),최승욱(Choi, Seung-Wook) 한국체육과학회 2015 한국체육과학회지 Vol.24 No.4

The present study investigated the influences on college students’ physical activity level and risk factors for the metabolic syndrome. The subjects of this study were divided into the low, moderate, and high activity group with seven subjects in each, and assessed with International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ) for measurement of physical activity level and calculation of physical activity. Participating in subjects underwent body measurements, body composition, and blood test. Analysis of risk factors for the metabolic syndrome included the blood pressure, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), fasting blood sugar (FBS), and waist circumference (WC). According to the results of this study, HDL-C and TG showed a significant difference between the high and the low activity groups based on the physical activity level; however, SBP, DBP, FBS, and WC showed no significant differences. These suggest that prevention and management of metabolic syndrome for college students are urgently needed, while a high intensity activity for college students to prevent chronic disease in their middle and older ages have been demonstrated to be effective in reducing TG and HDL-C which are risk factors for the metabolic syndrome and will be critical in lifestyle to promote public health.

12주간의 순환운동이 골감소증이 있는 20대 여성의 신체조성 및 골밀도에 미치는 영향

김아람(Kim, A-Ram),심유진(Shim, Yoo-Jin),최승욱(Choi, Seung-Wook) 한국체육과학회 2017 한국체육과학회지 Vol.26 No.5

Recent studies in Korea conducted on female university students indicate that, 37 students among 170 students(27.8%) are suffering from Osteopenia(Kim, 2011) which is similar to the percentage of postmenopausal women(30-40%) (Ahn et al., 2009). This shows that bone health of women in Korea is extremely severe. The research is conducted with 100 female university students who attend S Women University in S city and were categorized with bone mineral density. Among them, 20 students were selected and divided into osteopenia group (10 students) and control group(10 students). As a result, normal bone density group showed increase in 0.71% of lumbar, 0.42% of the whole body with no exercise and osteopenia group showed increase in 5.91% of lumbar, 0.11% of leg muscle, 0.74% of whole body with exercise but they showed no significant difference. But it was fou/nd that 12 weeks of circuit exercise has direct effect on bone mineral density by increasing the lumbar bone density of women in their 20’s with osteopenia by about 6%. But as it is difficult to show significant result with only 3 months of exercise, it is considered that more than 3 months of exercise is required even for women in their 20’s.

중년 여성의 유산소 운동능력에 따른 신체구성, 동맥경직도 및 전신 골밀도에 미치는 영향

김아람(Kim, A-Ram),심유진(Shim, Yoo-Jin) 한국체육과학회 2020 한국체육과학회지 Vol.29 No.1

Aerobic exercise capacity is a strong predictor of cardiovascular risk associated with obesity that threatens the health of middle-aged people and this analyzed the effects of aerobic exercise capacity on body composition, arterial stiffness, and total body BMD of middle-aged women. Also, there was no significant difference in BMD and bone density of the whole body between the HF group of above average and the LF group of below average cardiovascular endurance. For body composition, the HF group of above average cardiovascular endurance showed a significant difference from the LF group of below average cardiovascular endurance in skeletal muscle mass, volume of body fat, total weight without fat, and BMI, and there was a significant difference between the HF group of above average cardiovascular endurance and the LF group of below average cardiovascular endurance in right brachial ankle pulse wave velocity(baPWV) but no significant difference in left brachial ankle pulse wave velocity(baPWV). Also, there was a partial difference in body composition, arteriosclerosis, and bone density according to the level of aerobic exercise capacity. Especially in the case of physical composition and arteriosclerosis, aerobic exercise capacity is a predictive independent factor of cardiovascular diseases and mortality. It is believed that follow-up studies on a relationship between various population groups and aerobic exercise capacity will be necessary through variables such as exercise and diet.

Genipin Enhances the Therapeutic Effects of Oxaliplatin by Upregulating BIM in Colorectal Cancer

Kim, Bo Ram,Jeong, Yoon A.,Jo, Min Jee,Park, Seong Hye,Na, Yoo Jin,Kim, Jung Lim,Jeong, Soyeon,Yun, Hye Kyeong,Kang, Sanghee,Lee, Dae-Hee,Oh, Sang Cheul American Association for Cancer Research 2019 Molecular Cancer Therapeutics Vol.18 No.4

<P>Despite an increase in the survival rate of patients with cancer owing to the use of current chemotherapeutic agents, adverse effects of cancer therapies remain a concern. Combination therapies have been developed to increase efficacy, reduce adverse effects, and overcome drug resistance. Genipin is a natural product derived from <I>Gardenia jasminoides,</I> which has been associated with anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and anti-proliferative effects; hypertension; and anti-ischemic brain injuries. However, the enhancement of oxaliplatin sensitivity by genipin remains unexplored. Our study showed that a combination of genipin and oxaliplatin exerts synergistic antitumor effects <I>in vitro</I> and <I>in vivo</I> in colorectal cancer cell lines through the reactive oxygen species (ROS)/endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress/BIM pathway. Importantly, the combination did not affect normal colon cells. BIM knockdown markedly inhibited apoptosis induced by the combination. In addition, genipin induced ROS by inhibiting superoxide dismutase 3 activity. These findings suggest that genipin may be a novel agent for increasing the sensitivity of oxaliplatin against colorectal cancer. The combination of oxaliplatin and genipin hold significant therapeutic potential with minimal adverse effects.</P>

Prediction of successful caudal epidural injection using color Doppler ultrasonography in the paramedian sagittal oblique view of the lumbosacral spine

( Seon Woo Yoo ),( Min-jong Ki ),( A Ram Doo ),( Cheol Jong Woo ),( Ye Sull Kim ),( Ji-seon Son ) 대한통증학회 2021 The Korean Journal of Pain Vol.34 No.3

Background: Ultrasound-guided caudal epidural injection (CEI) is limited in that it cannot confirm drug distribution at the target site without fluoroscopy. We hypothesized that visualization of solution flow through the inter-laminar space of the lumbosacral spine using color Doppler ultrasound alone would allow for confirmation of drug distribution. Therefore, we aimed to prospectively evaluate the usefulness of this method by comparing the color Doppler image in the paramedian sagittal oblique view of the lumbosacral spine (LS-PSOV) with the distribution of the contrast medium observed during fluoroscopy. Methods: Sixty-five patients received a 10-mL CEI of solution containing contrast medium under ultrasound guidance. During injection, flow was observed in the LSPSOV using color Doppler ultrasonography, following which it was confirmed using fluoroscopy. The presence of contrast image at L5-S1 on fluoroscopy was defined as “successful CEI.” We then calculated prediction accuracy for successful CEI using color Doppler ultrasonography in the LS-PSOV. We also investigated the correlation between the distribution levels measured via color Doppler and fluoroscopy. Results: Prediction accuracy with color Doppler ultrasonography was 96.9%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 96.7%, 100%, 100%, and 60.0%, respectively. In 52 of 65 patients (80%), the highest level at which contrast image was observed was the same for both color Doppler ultrasonography and fluoroscopy. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that color Doppler ultrasonography in the LS-PSOV is a new method for determining whether a drug solution reaches the lumbosacral region (i.e. , the main target level) without the need for fluoroscopy.