• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.325-333
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• 2019

The present study was carried out to identify the distribution characteristics of heavy metals in ginseng and wood-cultivated ginseng reduction of dietary exposure. Samples of ginseng and wood-cultivated ginseng were collected from 14 and 5 regions across Korea, respectively. Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (Ar) were detected by ICP-MS after microwave digestion, whereas aluminum (Al) was determined using ICP. Cultivated ginseng peels were 16.2% of whole root, while the peels and fine roots amounted to 21.8% and 16.8% of whole wood-cultivated ginseng, respectively. Taking into account the weight and concentration of the heavy metals by root part, their distribution ratios were calculated and compared. The cultivated ginseng peels contained 40.3% Pb, 25.9% Cd, 47.6% As, and 89.9% Al. Meanwhile, heavy metals consisting of 27.2% Pb, 28.2% Cd, 48.3% As, and 56.8% Al were distributed in the peels of the wood-cultivated ginseng. There was no significant difference between the peels and fine roots of the wood-cultivated ginseng with respect to the distribution proportion of heavy metals, except for Al. These results indicate that the level of dietary exposure to heavy metals could be reduced by peeling ginseng and wood-cultivated ginseng prior to consumption.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.11-21
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influences of digestion temperature on the extraction of heavy metals from soil using the standard method established by Korean Ministry of Environment (KMES). A total of 7 heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in soil samples were extracted at varying digestion temperatures [(66 ± 2.0)℃, (73 ± 1.9)℃, (80 ± 1.3)℃, (85 ± 1.7)℃, (92 ± 2.0)℃, (98 ± 1.7)℃]. As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations remained relatively constant over the temperature range, but Ni and Cr concentrations greatly varied with the digestion temperature. The extent of variation in extraction efficiencies as compared to the concentration obtained at 66℃ was in following order; Ni (7.09% ~ 35.42%) > Cr (4.79% ~ 25.40%) > Zn (3.99% ~ 17.52%) > Cu (2.22% ~ 19.34%) > As (3.54% ~ 8.26%) > Cd (-5.08% ~ 1.08%) > Pb (-4.71% ~ -1.70%). The accuracy for certified reference materials at the digestion temperature of 80 and 85℃ was 98.7% ~ 105.8%. Therefore, digestion temperature of 80℃ ~ 85℃ is suggested to obtain reliable and reproducible data when the standard method by Korean Ministry of Environment is employed to analyze multiple heavy metal components in soil samples.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1084-1098
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous research has shown maternal betaine supplementation alleviates fetal-derived hepatic steatosis. Therefore, this study examined the anti-inflammatory effect of maternal betaine intake in offspring mice and its mechanism. MATERIALS/METHODS: Female C57BL/6J mice and their offspring were randomly divided into 3 groups according to the treatment received during gestation and lactation: control diet (CD), fatty liver disease (FLD), and fatty liver disease + 1% betaine (FLD-BET). The FLD group was given a high-fat diet and streptozotocin (HFD + STZ), and the FLD-BET group was treated with HFD + STZ + 1% betaine. After weaning, the offspring mice were given a normal diet for 5 weeks and then dissected to measure the relevant indexes. RESULTS: Compared to the CD group, the offspring mice in the FLD group revealed obvious hepatic steatosis and increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; maternal betaine supplementation reversed these changes. The hepatic mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-18, and Caspase-1 were significantly higher in the FLD group than in the CD group. Maternal betaine supplementation reduced the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing C-terminal caspase recruitment domain (ASC). Maternal betaine supplementation also reversed the increasing protein expressions of nitric oxide dioxygenase-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 in offspring mice exposed to HFD + STZ. Maternal betaine supplementation decreased the homocysteine (Hcy) and s-adenosine homocysteine (SAH) levels significantly in the livers. Furthermore, the hepatic Hcy concentrations showed significant inverse relationships with the mRNA expression of TNF-α, NLRP3, ASC, and IL-18. The hepatic SAH concentration was inversely associated with the IL-1β mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS: The lipotropic and anti-inflammatory effect of maternal betaine supplementation may be associated with the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome in the livers of the offspring mice.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.11-24
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• 1988

The purpose of this study was to determine the concentration of cadmium, nickel and chromium in the air of the work-place, blood of and urine of workers and compare the level of those heavy metals by the duration of work, work-place, process of work, smoking and other factors. In this study, 48 male dental laboratory technicans and 72 office workers as the control group were subjected. The concentration of cadmium, nickel and chromium in their blood sand urine, and that of heavy metals in the air of their work-rooms were examined and analyzed from June I 1987 to September 30, 1987. The results were as follows : 1. The concentration of cadmium in the air was the highest in the porcelain part, $0.0087{\pm}0.0016mg/m^3$, that of nickel was the highest in the crown bridge part, $0.4253{\pm}0.0052mg/m^3$, and that of chrnmium was highest in the partial denture part, $0.1063{\pm}0.0024mg/m^3$. 2. cadmium, nickel and chromium concentrations in the blood and urine of dental laboratory techincians were higher that in the office workers'. Especially the concentration of cadmium in the blood($1.92{\pm}1.23{\mu}g$/100ml) of th dental laboratory techician was about two times as high as that in the office workers'($0.90{\pm}0.73{\mu}g$/100ml), and the concentration of nickel in the urine($48.53{\pm}38.83{\mu}g$/e) of the dental laboratory thchnician was about two times as high as that in the office worker's($20.24{\pm}15.35{\mu}g$/e). 3. there was no difference in the concentration of cadmium, nickel and chromium in the blood and urine with a longer duration of work. 4. The concentration of cadmium and chromium in the blood and urine differed significantly depending upon the place of work. The concentration of cadmium was the highest in the blood of dental laboratory technicians working kin the poreclain part marking at $2.53{\pm}1.08{\mu}g$/100ml. The chromium level was the heighest in the blood of partial denture park workers with a concentration of $3.60{\pm}1.02{\mu}g$/100ml. Concerning the level of cadmium in urine, it was the highest in the porcelain part workers with a concentration of $3.41{\pm}3.15{\mu}g$/e. 5. The concentration of cadmium in the urine of metal trimming and polishing group($2.64{\pm}2.41{\mu}g$/e) was higher than that of non-metal trimming and polishing group($1.39{\pm}1.18{\mu}g$/e). 6. The concentration of chromium in the blood of smoking group($2.46{\pm}1.54{\mu}g$/100ml)was higher than that lf non-smoking group($1.54{\pm}1.25{\mu}g$/100ml). 7. The height positive correlation coefficient was shown between the concentration of nickel and chromium in the blood among the all correlations between 3metals(Cd, Ni, Cr) in the blood and those in urine. The correlation coefficient was relatively high(r=0.605,,p<0.01). In general, the higher the concentration of heavy metals in the air of work places the higher the concention lf them in the blood and urine of workers, mere attention should be paid to the working environment of dental laboratory workers, Furthermore, continuous biological monitoring and further research are required for an efficient health management for dental laboratory workers.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.338-356
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• 1994

Sediment samples from the continental shelf of the South Sea of Korea are analysed to determine the concentration of Al, Fe, Mn, cu, Ni, Zn, Co, Cr and Pb. among these samples, fine-grained sediments were also analysed by a sequential extraction technique to know geochemical forms of the metals in this environments. The total concentration of Al, Fe, Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn in bulk sediments decreased gradually with the increase of distance from the coastal zone. This distribution patterns are well coincide with grain size distribution. However, the patterns of Mn, co and Pb do not follow such and overall distribution. The concentration of Pb, particularly, did not show any features in areal distribution, which may be result from different pathways to the sediments, compared to the other metals. the speculation data show that a considerable amount of Cd, Mn and Co are bounded in the carbonate fraction, accounting for 42.8%, 40.3% and 30.6%, respectively. Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe are largely associated to oxide fraction with proportions of 34.4%, 23.1%, 15.5% and 13.7%, respectively. However, the metals in residual fraction account for more than 50% of the total metal concentration, except for Mn. These observations emphasize that residual fraction in the dominant component controlling the elemental concentration.quartz and glauconite grains.Accordingly,these sediments are interpreted as an extension part of transgressive sand deposit that are widely distributed on the continental shalf floor of southern Yellow Sea.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.92-98
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• 2004

The adsorption and desorption of Pb, Cd, Co, Zn, Cr, Co, Ni, and Mo on the waste Undaria sp. were studied. Except for Pb. the mono adsorption rate for all heavy metals were lower than that of the heavy metals mixed. However, the adsorption capacity of the heavy metals by 1g of biosorption, in mixed heavy metals increased According to FT-IR analysis of the biosorbent after heavy metal biosorption, the replacement of the functional group by the heavy metals ions could be confirmed and the inverted peaks became larger after heavy metals adsorption. The adsorption equilibrium of heavy metals was reached in about 1 hour. The equilibrium parameters were determined based on Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The affinity of metals on the biosorbent decreased in the following order: Pb>Cu>Cr>Cd>Co. The desorption rate decreased in the following sequence: NTA>$H_2SO_4$>HCl>EDTA. The desorption rate of heavy metals by NTA increased with increase in the concentration from 0.1 to 0.3% but the desorption rate became constant beyond 0.3%. Therefore, it represented that desorption rate of heavy metals was suitable under optimized condition ($30^{\circ}C$, pH 2 and 0.3% NTA solution) and was fast with 80% or more the uptake occurring within 10 min of contact time.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.39 no.3 s.178
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• pp.213-227
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• 2006

The geochemical evolution of mine drainage and leachate from waste rock dumps and stream water in Pb-As-rich abandoned Sechang mine area was investigated to elucidate mechanisms of trace metals. Total and sequential extractions were applied to estimate the distribution of trace metals in constituent phases of the waste rocks and to assess the mobility of trace metals according to physicochemical conditions. These discharged waters varied largely in chemical composition both spatially and temporally, and included cases with significant]y low pH (in the range 2.1-3.3), and extremely sulphate (up to 661 mg/l and metal contents (e.g. up to 169 mg/l for Zn, 27 mg/l for As, 3.97 mg/l for Pb, 2.99 mg/l for Cu, and 1.88 mg/l for Cd). Arsenic and heavy metal concentrations at the down-stream of Sechang mine have been decreased nearly to the background level in downstream sites (sites 8 and 16) without any artificial treatments. The oxidation of Fe-sulfides and the subsequent hydrolysis, of Fe(II), with precipitation of poorly crystallized minerals, constituted an efficient mechanism of natural attenuation which reduces considerably the transference of trace metals (i.e. Fe and As) to rivers. The dilution of drainage by mixing with pristine waters provoked an additional decrease of trace metal concentrations and a progressive pH increase. On the other hand, the most soluble cations (i.e. Zn) remained significantly as dissolved solutes until the pH was raised to approximately neutral values. With respect to ecotoxicity, it is likely that the Zn pollution is of particular concern in Sechang mine area. This was confirmed by the sequential extraction experiment, where Zn in wet waste-rock samples occurred predominantly in the exchangeable fraction (65-89% of total), while Pb was the highest in the reducible and carbonate fractions, and Cd, Cu and As in the residual fraction. Pb concentration in the readily available exchangeable fraction (34-48% of total) was dominated for dried waste rock samples. Considering the proportion of metals bound to the exchangeable and carbonate fractions, the comparative mobility of metals probably decreased in the order of Zn>Pb>Cd>As=Cu.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.308-314
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• 2001

This study was conducted to determine the content of heavy metals in canned foods and soft drinks available on the Korean markets. Trace metals (Pb, Cr, Cd, and Sn) were detected in 24 kinds, 120 samples by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The average concentration of heavy metals in canned foods was in the order of Sn (6.930 ppm)>Cr (0.050 ppm)>Pb (0.030 ppm)>Cd (0.008 ppm), which was the same order in soft drinks as Sn (3.519 ppm)>Cr (0.080 ppm)>Pb (0.024 ppm)>Cd (0.001 ppm). The total contents of heavy metals in canned fruits and fruit juices were relatively higher than those in cans and drinks made of vegetable and fish. It can be supposed that the high acidity owing to the organic acid of fruit itself promotes to extract metals from can materials, and although fish usually contains more heavy metals than vegetables, canned fish revealed low level because internal organs and most of skin which had more heavy metals than meat were removed throughout canning process. Because processed foods such as canned foods and soft drinks are very popular with the children and adolescence according to the change of life style and eating habit, and the possibility of exposure to heavy metals by the habitual intake of these is increasing simultaneously, it is suggested that more practical study about the process of exposure and the amount in each step is needed fur the assessment of safety.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.279-285
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• 2010

This study was conducted to evaluate the differences between the heavy metal contaminated and non-contaminated Artemisia princeps var. orientalis and Equisetum arvense in litter decomposition processes. The plant samples were collected from abandoned mine tailings and control sites in Cheongyang, South Korea. The abandoned mine tailings have high heavy metal concentration and low soil organic matter contents. The heavy metal contents of mine tailings were about 13 and 28 times higher in As and Cd, compared to those in control soils. Also, the contents of the Cr, Ni and Zn in mine tailings were about 3 to 6 times higher than those in control soil. Samples of two plant species from mine tailings have high heavy metal concentrations compared to those from control sites. The leaf of A. princeps var. orientalis and shoot of E. arvense collected from mine tailings have approximately 23 and 58 times more in As, and 25 and 11 times more in Cd. The mass loss rates of plant litter from mine tailings were slower than those from control sites. During the experimental period, the decomposition of A. princeps var. orientalis leaf from mine tailings and control site showed 50.4% and 65.7% mass loss on the control soil area, respectively. The decomposition of A princeps var. orientalis leaf from mine tailings and control site showed 31.6% and 57.5% mass loss on the mine tailings area, respectively. The decomposition of A. princeps var. orientalis stem from mine tailings and control site showed similar patterns with their leaf decomposition. The decomposition of E. arvense shoot from mine tailings and control site showed 77.8% and 89.3% mass loss on the control soil area, respectively. The decomposition of E. arvense shoot from mine tailings and control site showed 67.6% and 82.1% mass loss on the mine tailings area, respectively. Therefor, the higher contents of heavy metals showed slow decomposition. The results suggested that heavy metal contamination affected the plant litter decomposition processes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.846-860
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• 1998

Background: Endotoxin (LPS : lipopolysaccharide), a potent activator of immune system, can induce acute and chronic inflammation through the production of cytokines by a variety of cells, such as monocytes, endothelial cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils and fibroblasts. LPS stimulate the mononucelar cells by two different pathway, the CD14 dependent and independent way, of which the former has been well documented, but not the latter. LPS binds to the LPS-binding protein (LBP), in serum, to make the LPS-LBP complex which interacts with CD14 molecules on the mononuclear cell surface in peripheral blood or is transported to the tissues. In case of high concentration of LPS, LPS can stimulate directly the macrophages without LBP. We investigated to detect the generation of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ and fibrogenic cytokine, TGF-$\beta$, by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) after LPS stimulation under serum-free conditions, which lacks LBPs. Methods : PBMC were obtained by centrifugation on Ficoll Hypaque solution of peripheral venous bloods from healthy normal subjects, then stimulated in the presence of LPS (0.1 ${\mu}g/mL$ to 100 ${\mu}g/mL$ ). The activities of IL-1, IL-6, TNF, and TGF-$\beta$ were measured by bioassaies using cytokines - dependent proliferating or inhibiting cell lines. The cellular sources producing the cytokines was investigated by immunohistochemical stains and in situ hybridization. Results : PBMC started to produce IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ in 1 hr, 4 hrs and 8hrs, respectively, after LPS stimulation. The production of IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ continuously increased 96 hrs after stimulation of LPS. The amount of production was 19.8 ng/ml of IL-6 by $10^5$ PBMC, 4.1 ng/mL of TNF by $10^6$ PBMC and 34.4 pg/mL of TGF-$\beta$ by $2{\times}10^6$ PBMC. The immunoreactivity to IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ were detected on monocytes in LPS-stimulated PBMC. Some of lymphocytes showed positive immunoreactivity to TGF-$\beta$. Double immunohistochemical stain showed that IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ expression was not associated with CD14 postivity on monocytes. IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$mRNA expression were same as observed in immunoreactivity for each cytokines. Conclusion: When monocytes are stimulated with LPS under serum-free conditions, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ are secreted in early stage of inflammation. In contrast, the secretion of TGF-$\beta$ arise in the late stages and that is maintained after 96 hrs. The main cells releasing IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ are monocytes, but also lymphocytes can secret TGF-$\beta$.