Associations between building characteristics and children's allergic symptoms - A cross-sectional study on child's health and home in Seoul, South Korea

Choi, Jieun,Chun, Chungyoon,Sun, Yuexia,Choi, Yoorim,Kwon, Suhyun,Bornehag, C.G.,Sundell, Jan Elsevier 2014 Building and environment Vol.75 No.-

A cross-sectional study on the home environment and asthma and allergy in children was carried out among children 1-8 years old in Seoul, South Korea from 2009 to 2010. Questionnaires were distributed to 5107 parents through daycare centers and kindergartens; 2755 parents responded, a response rate of 54%. Seven percent and 23% of children were reported to have doctor-diagnosed asthma and hay fever, respectively. A majority (57%) of the families reported having PVC flooring in child's or parents' bedroom. More than 96% of homes used a floor heating system. PVC was used more often as a floor covering in single family houses than in apartments (67% vs. 49%, p < 0.001). PVC flooring was significantly associated with eczema in the previous 6 months (AOR 1.54,95% Cl 1.13-2.09) when adjusted for gender, age, family allergy, socioeconomic status and environmental tobacco smoke. Older buildings tended to have dampness problems, and, consequently, were positively correlated with the prevalence of wheeze. Floor moisture significantly increased the association between PVC and symptoms of wheezing (AOR 2.57, 95% Cl 1.36-4.82) and eczema (AOR 1.97, 95% Cl 1.18-3.28). Apartments without mechanical ventilation in bedrooms were associated with a slight increase in asthma and allergy among children. This study suggests that building characteristics and home exposure can partly explain recent increases in asthma and allergy among children in Seoul. (c) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Discrepancies between Physiological and Psychological Measures of Stress Associated with Indoor Temperature

Yoorim Choi,Youngjoo Son,Chungyoon Chun 한국생활환경학회 2016 한국생활환경학회지 Vol.23 No.4

To assess stress levels associated with thermal comfort, this study measured stress levels in different Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) conditions using verbal vote, electroencephalographic (EEG), and salivary α-amylase assessments. This study was conducted in a climate chamber to regulate and experimentally manipulate PMV conditions. Environmental factors were set to 7 different PMV levels, from −3 to +3 by units. EEGs were measured for each subject using 8 electrodes covering the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes, for 65 min for each PMV condition. Following EEG collection, saliva samples (for alpha (α)-amylase quantification) and a verbal report were gathered for each subject. The EEG and salivary α-amylase responses were similar, in that both tests showed the 0 to +2 conditions were relatively non-stressful compared to other conditions. On the other hand, the verbal reports indicated that the −1 to +1 conditions were relatively non-stressful.

The Effects of the Indoor Environment of Rehabilitation Centers on Autistic Children in Korea

Yoorim Choi,Chungyoon Chun 한국주거학회 2015 한국주거학회 국제학술대회논문집 Vol.2015 No.4

Autistic children’s perceptual characteristic is different with normal children’s perception. Autistic children have keen perception or insensitive perception when they are exposed to environmental stimuli. Usual architectural environment based the comfort zone targeted at general public cannot support autistic children in detail. They need more carefully concerns. Appropriate environmental conditions can help their unstable perception and comfort, and environmental factors can have a major impact. However, there is no understanding of the full range of relevant environmental factors and their impact levels. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of architectural environments on autistic children. This is the first step in a larger plan to found the comfort zone for autistic children. First of all, this paper describes a preliminary study to investigate the effects of environmental factors on autistic children treated in Korean rehabilitation centers. Targets for investigation were comprised of three groups, medical rehabilitation team, social psychological rehabilitation team, and special education teachers. Using the qualitative research techniques, the main context and experiences of behavioral problems of autistic children caused by environmental factors were explored. Those environmental factors were divided into five parts; thermal environmental factor, indoor air quality factor, visual environmental factor, acoustic environmental factor and other environmental factors. The findings will indicate what environmental factors are the most important influencing factors.

Effects of structurally stabilized EGF and bFGF on wound healing in type I and type II diabetic mice

Choi, Seong Mi,Lee, Kyoung-Mi,Kim, Hyun Jung,Park, Ik Kyu,Kang, Hwi Ju,Shin, Hang-Cheol,Baek, Dawoon,Choi, Yoorim,Park, Kwang Hwan,Lee, Jin Woo Elsevier 2018 Acta Biomaterialia: structure-property-function re Vol.66 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Diabetes mellitus comprises a multiple metabolic disorder that affects millions of people worldwide and consequentially poses challenges for clinical treatment. Among the various complications, diabetic ulcer constitutes the most prevalent associated disorder and leads to delayed wound healing. To enhance wound healing capacity, we developed structurally stabilized epidermal growth factor (ST-EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (ST-bFGF) to overcome limitations of commercially available EGF (CA-EGF) and bFGF (CA-bFGF), such as short half-life and loss of activity after loading onto a matrix. Neither ST-EGF nor ST-bFGF was toxic, and both were more stable at higher temperatures than CA-EGF and CA-bFGF. We loaded ST-EGF and ST-bFGF onto a hyaluronate-collagen dressing (HCD) matrix, a biocompatible carrier, and tested the effectiveness of this system in promoting wound healing in a mouse model of diabetes. Wounds treated with HCD matrix loaded with 0.3 μg/cm<SUP>2</SUP> ST-EGF or 1 μg/cm<SUP>2</SUP> ST-bFGF showed a more rapid rate of tissue repair as compared to the control in type I and II diabetes models. Our results indicate that an HDC matrix loaded with 0.3 μg/cm<SUP>2</SUP> ST-EGF or 1 μg/cm<SUP>2</SUP> ST-bFGF can promote wound healing in diabetic ulcers and are suitable for use in wound dressings owing to their stability for long periods at room temperature.</P> <P><B>Statement of Significance</B></P> <P>Various types of dressing materials loaded with growth factors, such as VEGF, EGF, and bFGF, are widely used to effect wound repair. However, such growth factor-loaded materials have several limitations for use as therapeutic agents in healing-impaired diabetic wounds. To overcome these limitations, we have developed new materials containing structurally stabilized EGF (ST-EGF) and bFGF (ST-bFGF). To confirm the wound healing capacity of newly developed materials (ST-EGF and ST-bFGF-loaded hyaluronate-collagen dressing [HCD] matrix), we applied these matrices in type I and type II diabetic wounds. Notably, these matrices were able to accelerate wound healing including re-epithelialization, neovascularization, and collagen deposition. Consequentially, these ST-EGF and ST-bFGF-loaded HCD matrix may be used as future therapeutic agents in patients with diabetic foot ulcers.</P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Effect of temperature on attention ability based on electroencephalogram measurements

Choi, Yoorim,Kim, Minjung,Chun, Chungyoon Elsevier 2019 Building and Environment Vol.147 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In this study, subjects' attention abilities in seven predicted mean vote (PMV) conditions (−3 to +3) were measured using electroencephalograms (EEGs). A total of 49 EEG recordings were performed (in seven PMV conditions for seven subjects), each lasting for 65 min. EEGs were recorded through the scalp and sorted by frequency using power spectral analysis. The best PMV condition for attention ability changed over time, from slightly cooler temperatures to higher temperatures. However, extreme PMV conditions led to poor attention ability during the experiment. The highest attention level was at PMV +1, according to our EEG analysis, but was reported as both PMV 0 and + 1 by the subjects. The lowest attention level was in higher temperature conditions (PMV +2, +3), according to subjects' own evaluations, while the lowest brain activity was measured in lower temperature conditions (PMV -2, −3).</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Attention ability was measured by EEG as a metric of productivity, instead of measuring productivity itself. </LI> <LI> The best temperature for attention changed over time and the perceived attention did not match the physiological response as assessed by EEG. </LI> <LI> The results provide a new method to measure productivity and a basis to develop new indoor environment controls for optimal productivity. </LI> </UL> </P>

Biodistribution of Exosomes and Engineering Strategies for Targeted Delivery of Therapeutic Exosomes

Choi Hojun,Choi Yoorim,임화영,Mirzaaghasi Amin,Yoo Jae-Kwang,최철희 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2021 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.18 No.4

Exosomes are cell-secreted nano-sized vesicles which deliver diverse biological molecules for intercellular communication. Due to their therapeutic potential, exosomes have been engineered in numerous ways for efficient delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients to various target organs, tissues, and cells. In vivo administered exosomes are normally delivered to the liver, spleen, kidney, lung, and gastrointestinal tract and show rapid clearance from the blood circulation after systemic injection. The biodistribution and pharmacokinetics (PK) of exosomes can be modulated by engineering various factors such as cellular origin and membrane protein composition of exosomes. Recent advances accentuate the potential of targeted delivery of engineered exosomes even to the most challenging organs including the central nervous system. Major breakthroughs have been made related to various imaging techniques for monitoring in vivo biodistribution and PK of exosomes, as well as exosomal surface engineering technologies for inducing targetability. For inducing targeted delivery, therapeutic exosomes can be engineered to express various targeting moieties via direct modification methods such as chemically modifying exosomal surfaces with covalent/non-covalent bonds, or via indirect modification methods by genetically engineering exosome-producing cells. In this review, we describe the current knowledge of biodistribution and PK of exosomes, factors determining the targetability and organotropism of exosomes, and imaging technologies to monitor in vivo administered exosomes. In addition, we highlight recent advances in strategies for inducing targeted delivery of exosomes to specific organs and cells.

Quick, Draw! 데이터셋을 이용한 산책 경로 추적 서비스 워케트(Walkette)

최유림(Choi, YooRim),이민구(Lee, Mingu) 한국HCI학회 2021 한국HCI학회 학술대회 Vol.2021 No.1

기존의 헬스 서비스는 페도미터 기능을 중심으로, 사용자의 보행 기록을 측정하고 분석한다. 이러한 서비스는 수집한 보행 기록을 생데이터 형태에서 크게 벗어나지 못한 채로 제시하는 경우가 다수이다. 본 연구는 새로운 이동 기록 데이터 가공 모델을 제공하기 위한 목적으로 진행되었다. GPS 위치 추적 기술과 구글에서 제공하는 Quick, Draw! 데이터셋을 결합하여 지도 위 사용자의 이동 경로를 그림의 일부인 획(stroke)으로 가공한다. 페도미터 기능 기반의 헬스 서비스에 엔터테인먼트적 요소를 가미하여 사용자의 지속적인 도보 운동 참여를 위한 동기를 유도하는 효과를 기대한다.

A novel neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) mutation in a patient with NF1 and pheochromocytoma

Yoorim Seo,Yeonjeong Jeong,Dong Yoon Kim,Kyueun Choi,Eun Sook Kim,Sung Dae Moon,Je Ho Han 대한내과학회 2018 The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine Vol.33 No.1

간호 · 간병통합서비스병동과 일반병동 간호사의 피로, 수면의 질, 대인관계 스트레스 비교

최정(Choi, Jung),권유림(Kweon, Yoorim) 한국보건간호학회 2018 韓國保健看護學會誌 Vol.32 No.3

The Effect of Building Characteristics and Psychological Variables to Occupants' IEQ Satisfaction in Office Buildings

Heejin Han,Chungyoon Chun,Yoorim Choi,John Goins,Hui Zhang,Edward Arens 한국생활환경학회 2013 한국생활환경학회지 Vol.20 No.6

The purpose of this study is to find building and psychological variables which affect occupants" IEQ (Indoor environment quality) satisfaction in office buildings. The results showed that (1) occupants" IEQ satisfaction increased with behavior adjustability, satisfaction with interior design, and level of ensuring privacy. (2) Occupants" satisfaction with each physical condition (thermal, noise, lighting, indoor air quality) decreased when building scale is too large. Building scale also had a significant effect on behavior adjustability. (3) The linear relationship between all psychological variables and IEQ satisfaction was proved. (4) As IEQ satisfaction (thermal, noise, lighting, indoor air quality) increased, overall workspace satisfaction did also increase. Especially, among four IEQ satisfactions, noise satisfaction was the most effective factor on overall workspace satisfaction.