• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.178-186
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• 2014

Background: This study was conducted to assess health risks in regard to exposure by children to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in children's products. Methods: Ten VOCs were measured by head-space gas chromatography in children's products, including toys, oil pastels, sign pens, furniture, ball pools, and playmats. We estimated the average daily dose (ADD) via inhalation during the use of these children's products and calculated hazard quotient (HQ) by dividing ADD by reference dose of VOCs. Results: Among the measured VOCs, five compounds were identified in children's products: benzene, ethylbenzene, styrene, toluene, and xylene. The detection rates of VOCs in toys, ball pools, furniture, playmats, sign pens, and oil pastels were 85%, 100%, 100%, 30%, 100%, and 60%, respectively. The maximum levels of VOCs were 0.18 mg benzene/kg in toys, 5.92 mg toluene/kg in playmats, 10.37 mg ethylbenzene/kg in ball pools, 24.85 mg xylene/kg in toys, and 118.29 mg styrene/kg in ball pools. From exposure levels of VOCs in the children's products HQs were calculated within a range of $5.71{\times}10^{-10}$ to $4.77{\times}10^{-4}$. The HQ of xylene was the highest for children aged 0-6 playing on the playmats. However, the HQ via inhalation exposure to VOCs in individual products did not exceed 1.00. Conclusion: Based on the results, it was concluded that the use of these children's products do not pose health risks to children.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.21-34
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• 2019

The effects of the anaesthetic agents, clove oil and mixture of clove oil with lidocaine-HCl were evaluated on river puffer, Takifugu obscurus and tiger puffer, T. rubripes. Anaesthesia times of clove oil were affected by water temperature ($20^{\circ}C$, $24^{\circ}C$, and $28^{\circ}C$) and salinity (10, 20, and 30 ppt). Anaesthesia times of mixed samples were significantly similar with regard to exposure and recovery times, and all samples satisfied anaesthesia criteria (exposure time within 3 min and recovery time within 5 min) under the various temperatures and salinities, and the lowest to highest concentration of anaesthetics (p<0.05). Both species river puffer and tiger puffer had short exposure time with a high anaesthesia dose, high temperature ($28^{\circ}C$) and intermediate salinity (20 ppt), and were highly affected by temperature and salinity (p<0.05). The mixed anaesthetics had rapid exposure times and long recovery times in contrast to the effects of clove oil. Cortisol concentrations under the conditions of various clove oil dosages, salinity, and temperature for both species increased until 12 hrs after recovery from anaesthesia (p<0.05). After 12 hrs, cortisol concentrations decreased until after 48 hrs (p<0.05). During the simulated transportation of both species, control and sedated clove oil groups (5 ppm) were measured for water parameters, dissolved oxygen (DO), $CO_2$, respiratory frequency, $NH_4{^+}$, and pH for 6 hrs in 1 hr intervals. Water parameters of sedated groups and controls were significantly different after 2 hrs (p<0.05).

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.167-175
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate airborne radon and thoron levels and estimate the effective doses of workers who made household goods and mattresses using monazite. Methods: Airborne radon and thoron concentrations were measured using continuous monitors (Rad7, Durridge Company Inc., USA). Radon and thoron concentrations in the air were converted to radon doses using the dose conversion factor recommended by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission in Korea. External exposure to gamma rays was measured at the chest height of a worker from the source using real-time radiation instruments, a survey meter (RadiagemTM 2000, Canberra Industries, Inc., USA), and an ion chamber (OD-01 Hx, STEP Co., Germany). Results: When using monazite, the average concentration range of radon was $13.1-97.8Bq/m^3$ and thoron was $210.1-841.4Bq/m^3$. When monazite was not used, the average concentration range of radon was $2.6-10.8Bq/m^3$ and the maximum was $1.7-66.2Bq/m^3$. Since monazite has a higher content of thorium than uranium, the effects of thoron should be considered. The effective doses of radon and thoron as calculated by the dose conversion factor based on ICRP 115 were 0.26 mSv/yr and 0.76 mSv/yr, respectively, at their maximum values. The external radiation dose rate was $6.7{\mu}Sv/hr$ at chest height and the effective dose was 4.3 mSv/yr at the maximum. Conclusions: Regardless of the use of monazite, the total annual effective doses due to internal and external exposure were 0.03-4.42 mSv/yr. Exposures to levels higher than this value are indicated if dose conversion factors based on the recently published ICRP 137 are applied.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.41-50
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• 2014

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Clematidis radix extract on $CoCl_2$-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Methods In order to investigate the protective effect of Clematidis radix on $CoCl_2$-induced cytotoxicity in neuronal cells, MTT(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, DAPI(4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindoleI) staining, TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling) assay, DNA fragmentation assay and western blotting were performed on SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Results Cells treated with $CoCl_2$ exhibited several apoptotic features, while cells pre-treated with Clematidis radix prior to $CoCl_2$ exposure showed a decrease in the occurrence of apoptotic features. $CoCl_2$ increased HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression, in contrast, Clematidis radix treatment decreased $CoCl_2$-induced HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression. Pre-treatment with the extract of Clematidis radix suppressed Bax, cytochrome c, and caspase-3 expressions, and also increased Bcl-2 expression in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Conclusions These results suggest that Clematidis radix may exert a protective effect on $CoCl_2$-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.823-826
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• 1995

The crystal structure of a sulfur sorption complex of the dehydrated partially Co2+ exchanged zeolite A (a=12.058(2) Å) has been determined by single-crystal X-ray techniques. The crystal structure was solved and refined in cubic space group Pm3m at 21(1) ℃. Ion Exchange with aqueous 0.05 M Co(NO3)2 was done by the static method. The crystal of Na4Co4-A was dehydrated at 380 ℃ and 2 × 10-6 Torr for 2 days, followed by exposure to about 100 Torr of sulfur at 330 ℃ for 72 h. Full matrix least-squares refinement converged to R1=0.084 and Rw=0.074 with 102 reflections for which I > 3σ(I). Crystallographic analysis shows that 2.8 Co2+ ions and 4 Na+ ions per unit cell occupy 6-ring sites on the threefold axes. 1.2 Co2+ ions occupy the 8-ring sites on fourfold axes. 2.8 Co2+ ions at Co(1) are recessed 0.66 Å into the large cavity and 4 Na+ ion at Na(1) are recessed 0.77 Å into the sodalite cavity from the (111) plane of O(3)'s. Approximately 16 sulfur atoms were sorbed per unit cell. Two S8 rings, each in a butterfly form, are found in the large cavity. The bond length between S and its adjacent S is 2.27(3) Å. The distance between 6-ring Co2+ ion and its adjacent sulfur is 2.53 (2) Å and that between 8-ring Co2+ ions and its adjacent sulfur is 2.72(9) Å. The angles of S-S'-S and S'-S-S'/ in octasulfur rings are 119.0(2)°and 113.0(2)°, respectively.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.117-121
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• 2016

Although piglets have been delivered by embryo transfer (ET) with in vitro produced (IVP) embryos and blastocysts, a success rate has still remained lower level. Unlike mouse, human, and bovine, it is difficult to a production of piglets by in vitro fertilization (IVF) because of an inappropriate in vitro culture (IVC) system in pig. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate whether minimized exposure time in IVC can improve the pregnancy and delivery rates of piglets. Immediately after IVM, the oocytes were denuded and co-incubated with freshly ejaculated boar semen for 3.5 to 4 hours at $38.5^{\circ}C$ under 5% $CO_2$ in air. To avoid long-term exposure to in vitro state, we emitted IVC step after IVF. After that the presumptive zygotes were transferred into both oviducts of the surrogate on the same day or 1 day after the onset of estrus. Pregnancy was diagnosed on day 28 after ET and then was checked regularly every month by ultrasound examination. The 3 out of 4 surrogates were determined as pregnant (75%) and a total of 5 piglets (2 females and 3 males) were delivered at $118.3{\pm}2.5$ days of pregnancy period. In conclusion, a short-term exposure time may be an important factor in the production of IVP-derived piglets. It can be apply to the in vitro production system of transgenic pig by IVF, cloning, and pronuclear microinjection methods.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.241-249
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• 2009

Heavy metal contaminants on the aquatic environment are of interest because they can have severe effects on economy and public health. Recently, the studies for monitoring of heavy metals try to do on aquatic system to assess safety and health of ecosystem by heavy metals. Thus, biological responses were investigated on Korean fairy shrimp Branchinella kugenumaensis exposed to cadmium (Cd) or copper (Cu) for long-periods (30 days). The survival rate decreased significantly (p<0.05) on B. kugenumaensis exposed to Cd and Cu at all concentrations. Especially, the highest decrease was observed at the relatively high concentration of Cd and Cu (p<0.01) and the response by Cd exposure was at dose-dependent. The growth rates were also decreased significantly (p<0.05) on B. kugenumaensis exposed to Cd and Cu for at all concentrations. Then, the reproduction rate, numbering cyst, was decreased significantly (p<0.01) on B. kugenumaensis after Cd or Cu exposures. Long exposure of the relatively high concentration Cd and Cu can have severe effects on the reproduction, while exposures of Cd and Cu can not have effects on sex ratios of B. kugenumaensis. Additionally, asymmetric telson deformity was only observed after Cd exposure. Therefore, these results suggest that B. kugenumaensis is a sensitive bio-indicator of heavy metal exposure and these biological responses of B. kugenumaensis give important information for long-term monitoring on aquatic ecosystem.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.425-437
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• 2001

This study is based on the uses meta-analysis methodology to examine the statistical consistency and importance of random variation among results of epidemiologic studies between air pollutants exposure and childhood asthma. Studies for this meta-analysis were conducted by reviewing previous results and by asking researcher active in this field for recommendations. Overall, 10 cases of air pollutants exposures and childhood asthma were reviewed. A variety of statistical methods for meta-analysis have been used to assess the combined effects, to identify heterogeneity, and to provide a single summary risk estimate based on a set of simiar epidemiologic studies. In this study, classification of exposure metircs on air environmental epidemiologic studies are reported for (1) aggravation of childhood asthma by a 50 ppb increase SO$_2$(6 individual studies); (2) aggravation of childhood asthma by a 50 ppb increase NO$_2$(5 individual studies); (3) aggravation of childhood asthma by a 50 ppb increase $O_3$(7 individual studies); (4) aggravation of childhood asthma by a 10$\mu\textrm{g}$/m$^3$increase PM$_{10}$ (4 individual studies); (5) aggravation of childhood asthma by a 1 ppm increase CO (2 individual studies); and (6) comparison of results between a Korean study results and this meta-analytic study. Results of this study indicated that an inverse-variance weighted pooling of the hospital admission risk at a 1ppm increment of CO levels was 1.12% (95% CI : 1.01 ~ 1.24). The hospital admission risk was estimated to increase 5% (95% CI : 1.02~1.08), 6%(95% CI : 1.04~1.09), and 5% (95% CI : 1.02~1.09) with each 50ppb increase of SO$_2$, NO$_2$, and $O_3$, respectively. In addition, our results lead to a small but significant elevation in risk of 2% (RR = 1.02, 95% CI = 1.01~1.04) with each 10$\mu\textrm{g}$/m$^3$increase of PM$_{10}$ among 4 individual studies. We found a small elevation in risk of childhood asthma, and pooled results of 10 epidemiologic studies of childhood asthma using increase a cut-off-point levels of air pollutants showed a few pieces of evidence. The results of this meta-analysis suggested that air pollution associated with an increased incidence of childhood asthma. According to this study, relationship between exposure to air pollutants and childhood asthma in Korea seem to be high than results of this meta-analysis.sis.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.505-512
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• 1998

In this study, two-layer thermal barrier coatings composed of plasma sprayed 0.3mm $ZrO_2(8wt% Y_2o_3)$ ceramic coating layer and O.lmm $NiCrAlCoY_20_3$ bond coating layer on AISI 316 were investigated microstructure of the coating, oxidation of the metallic bond coating and adhesive strength to evaluate the durability of coating layer after cyclic and isothermal test at 90$0^{\circ}C$. And quantitative phase analysis of $ZrO_2(8wt% Y_2o_3)$ ceramic coating was performed as a function of thermal exposure time using XRD technique. The results showed that the amount of m - 2rO, phase in the coating was slightly increased with increasing thermal exposure time at 90$0^{\circ}C$. The c/a ratio of t' - $ZrO_2$ in the as-sprayed coating was 1.0099 and slightly increased to 1.0115 after 100 hours heat treatment. It was believed that $Y_2O_3$ in high yttria tetragonaJ(t') was transformed to low yttria tetragonaJ(t) by $Y_2O_3$ diffusion with increasing thermal exposure time. The adhesive strength was gradually decreased as thermal exposure time increased. After the isothermal test, the failure predominantly occured in ceramic coating layer. On the other hand. the specimens after cyclic thermal test were mostly failed at bond coating/ceramic coating interface. The failure was oeeured by decreasing the bond strength between bond coating and oxide scale which were formed by oxidation of the metallic elements within bond coating and by thermal stress due to thermal expansion mismatches between the oxide scale and ceramic coating.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 1994

The present experiments on cryopreservation were designed to examine the effects of solution toxicity, equilibration time and cell stages on the post-thaw survival of bovine IVF embryos. The oocytes were matured in vitro(IVM) for 24 hrs. in TCM-199 supplemented with 35 $\mu$g /ml FSH, 10 $\mu$g /ml LH, 1 $\mu$g /ml estradiol-17$\beta$ and granulosa cells at 39$^{\circ}C$ under 5% $CO_2$ in air. They were fertilized in vitro(IVF) by epididymal spermatozoa treated with heparin for 24 hrs., and then the zygotes were co-cultured in vitro(IVC) with bovine oviductal epithelial cells for 7 to 9 days. The bovine IVF embryos were exposed to the EFS solution in one step at room temperature, kept in the EFS solution during different period for toxicity test, vitrified in liquid nitrogen, and thawed rapidly. 1. after the bovine blastocysts were exposed to EFS solution for 2 min. at room temperature and then they were washed in 0.5 M sucrose solution and TCM-199, they were cultured to examined cryoprotectant induced injury during exposure, Most of the embryos(95.0%) developed to reexpanded blastocoels. However, when the exposure time was extended to 5 and 10 min, these development rates dropped dramatically in 5 min. (69.5%) and 10 min. (47.4%), respectively, 2. When the bovine IVF embryos were vitrified in EFS solution after the equilibration for 1 and 2 min. exposure, The embryos to have reexpanded blastocoels following thawing, washing and culture processes were found to he 82.6 and 73.9%, respectively. However, when the exposure time was extended to 3 min, this survival rate dropped to 18.2%. The optimal time for equilibration of bovine IVF blastocysts in EFS solution seemed to he 1~2 min. 3. When the bovine IVF embryos were equilibrated for 1 min. the significantly (P<0. 05) higher post-thaw survival rates were obtained from the embryos of blastocyst stage(81.3%) than morulae stage(5. 1%). The optimal cell stage for viterification with EFS solution proven to he blastocyst stage in bovine IVF embryos. 4. The number of blastomeres of blastocyst stage was examined with nuclear staining with Hoechst 33342 during 7 to 9 days post-insemination. The cell counts of frozen bovine IVF embryos were found significantly(P$\geq$7.5 and those of the fresh embryos 76.6$\geq$7. 1, which were cultured in the sarne period and conditions as frozen embryos.