A Pilot Establishment of the Job-Exposure Matrix of Lead Using the Standard Process Code of Nationwide Exposure Databases in Korea.

Background: The purpose of this study is to construct a job-exposure matrix for lead that accounts for industry and work processes within industries using a nationwide exposure database. Methods: We used the work environment measurement data (WEMD) of lead monitored nationwide from 2015 to 2016. Industrial hygienists standardized the work process codes in the database to 37 standard process and extracted key index words for each process. A total of 37 standardized process codes were allocated to each measurement based on an automated key word search based on the degree of agreement between the measurement information and the standard process index. Summary statistics, including the arithmetic mean, geometric mean, and 95th percentile level (X95), was calculated according to industry, process, and industry process. Using statistical parameters of contrast and precision, we compared the similarity of exposure groups by industry, process, and industry process. Results: The exposure intensity of lead was estimated for 583 exposure groups combined with 128 industry and 35 process. The X95 value of the "casting" process of the "manufacture of basic precious and non-ferrous metals" industry was 53.29 µg/m3, exceeding the occupational exposure limit of 50 µg/m3. Regardless of the limitation of the minimum number of samples in the exposure group, higher contrast was observed when the exposure groups were by industry process than by industry or process. Conclusion: We evaluated the exposure intensities of lead by combination of industry and process. The results will be helpful in determining more accurate information regarding exposure in lead-related epidemiological studies.

Distribution of Korean safety and health professionals from the perspective of gender equality.

Background: Gender equality in the workplace remains a challenge. This study aimed to investigate the gender gap of human resources in the field of occupational safety and health (OSH) in Korea. Methods: Several national statistical data that can confirm the gender distribution of personnel in the OSH sector were reviewed. The gender distribution of industrial technical manpower statistics, professional certificate holders in the OSH field, and the status of the appointment of safety and health managers by industry was analyzed. Results: The distribution of professionals in the OSH sector in Korea had a large gender gap with a small number of women. In particular, the proportion of women in the safety field was lower than that in the health field. In the younger age group, while the proportion of women is increasing, the gender gap tends to decrease. Conclusions: Few data are available to understand the gender-related aspects of OSH professions. Nevertheless, our results provide basic information for initiating a discussion on the necessity of establishing gender-sensitive culture and policies in the OSH sector.

Workplace Violence Against Female Health Managers in the Male-Dominated Construction Industry.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to investigate health managers' exposure to workplace violence (WPV) at construction sites and to review the statistical characteristics of experts in the safety and health fields using a gender-based analysis. METHODS: A preliminary survey of health managers at construction sites was conducted from March to April 2020 via the Health Managers Council in Construction Industry online community (https://band.us/band/62438722). Available national statistical data of safety and health personnel were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 85 health managers (13 men, 72 women) responded to a preliminary survey. Health managers reported little physical violence (5.9%), while inappropriate work orders (83.5%) and sexual harassment (52.9%) were high, and health managers' experience of sexual harassment was significantly higher among women than men (P < 0.01). The professional safety and health field in Korea have a large gender gap, with few women. In particular, the proportion of women in the safety field was lower than in the health field. CONCLUSIONS: Young female health managers in the male-dominated construction industry are more vulnerable to WPV, including sexual harassment. To reduce the risk of WPV exposure and gender discrimination among female health managers, it is necessary to increase regular employment and provide more practical WPV prevention education for all construction employees.

Variables that prolong total operative time for robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy: A 10-year tertiary hospital study in Korea.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that prolong total operative time (TOT) in robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy (RALM). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary university hospital. PATIENTS: Women who underwent RALM between April 2009 and May 2019 conducted by a single high-volume gynecologic surgeon. INTERVENTIONS: Patients' demographic data and intraoperative records were obtained. The association between the perioperative characteristics and TOT was analyzed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 584 cases met the inclusion criteria, with a mean TOT of 231.6 ± 86.7 min. The mean patient age was 36.3 ± 5.5 years, and the patients had a mean of 4.2 ± 4.0 myomas. The dominant myoma had a mean diameter of 7.6 ± 2.6 cm. The mean total weight of the extracted myomas removed was 202.2 ± 152.6 g. From multiple regression analysis, the following perioperative factors were intimately associated with the TOT: ① body mass index, ② the number of myomas, ③ weight of total myomas, ④ location of dominant myoma, ⑤ type of da Vinci robot system, ⑥ endometrial cavity opening during the operation, ⑦ intraoperative blood loss, and ⑧ patient hospitalization period. The number of myoma was most closely related to the TOT, with an R2 value of 0.330. All of the above factors with the exception of the type of robot system and location of dominant myoma were related to the console time. Age, parity, history of previous abdominal surgery, surgical indication, diameter, and FIGO classification were not associated with the TOT. CONCLUSION: With an accurate identification of the perioperative parameters above, we can improve the quality of RALM by counselling, selecting an appropriate patient selection, and preoperative planning.

Deep Vein Thrombosis Exhibits Characteristic Serum and Vein Wall Metabolic Phenotypes in the Inferior Vena Cava Ligation Mouse Model.

OBJECTIVES: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a major health problem, responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. The identification of a simple and effective diagnostic biomarker of DVT remains a challenge. Metabolomics have recently emerged as a new powerful scientific tool to characterise metabolic phenotypes of complex diseases and investigate small molecules in biofluids. The aim of the study was to identify the blood and vein wall metabolomic signature of DVT in a murine experimental model. METHODS: An established inferior vena cava ligation mouse model of DVT (n=10) was used and compared with sham surgery controls (n=10). Comprehensive untargeted metabolic profiling of serum and vein wall extracts was undertaken using liquid chromatography coupled mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. RESULTS: Multivariate and univariate statistical analysis demonstrated a differential metabolic profile when comparing DVT mice and control animals. Serum from DVT mice was characterised by differential concentrations of adenosine (decreased in DVT mice 9.6 fold), adenine (decreased 10.6 fold), and tricyclic acid cycle (TCA) intermediates, including citrate, succinate, and fumarate (1.5, 2.3, and 2.8 fold decreases, respectively). l-carnitine was found to be of greater abundance in the serum of DVT animals (67.0 fold change). A number of lipid moiety classes, including sphingomyelins, phosphatidylcholines, and triglycerides, were differentially abundant. Several metabolites were found in vein wall, including acetylcarnitine (increased in DVT mice 1.9 fold), adenosine (increased 2.2 fold), and ceramide (increased 2.7 fold). Correlation analysis illustrated the biochemical relationships between assigned metabolites, with the discriminatory molecules being highly correlated with each other, in both serum and vein wall. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings demonstrate that metabolic dysregulations in DVT centre on energy metabolism, sphingolipid, and adenosine metabolism, representing a DVT specific metabolite signature in a murine experimental model.