• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.113-118
• /
• 2016

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), is a protein mainly secreted by a liver. The PCSK9 plays an important role in low density lipoprotein (LDL) metabolism acting as a repressor of LDL receptor through transportation of the LDLR to the lysosome for degradation. Thus, the PCSK9 inhibitor suppresses PCSK9-regulated degradation of the LDL receptor as a LDL-lowering medicine. However, little is known about the role of PCSK9 in the reproductive system. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated Pcsk9 expression in male reproductive tracts including penises, prostates and testes using rats in response to their diets between a normal diet and a high-fat diet with cholesterol. Based on our previous study, the high-fat diet elevates concentration of total cholesterol and LDL in serum whereas it reduces the concentration of plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL). In addition, it dramatically affects to morphological changes of the male reproductive organs. Consistent with these results, the expression of Pcsk9 was substantially decreased in the penile tissues (P < 0.001) from rats fed a high fat diet as compared to a normal diet. Moreover, it slightly reduced in the prostate and testes (P < 0.05) of rats in response to a high fat diet. Localization of Pcsk9 was predominantly detected in urethral epithelium of penises, cylinder-shaped cells of prostate glands, and spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatid of testes of rats. Collectively, results of current study provide invaluable insights into the Pcsk9 gene with respect to its tissue- and cell-specific expression by a high fat diet with cholesterol.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.35 no.4 s.100
• /
• pp.285-294
• /
• 2002

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between purification characteristics and hydraulic conditions, and to clarify the basic and essential factors required to be considered in the construction and management of artificial wetland system for the improvement of reservoir water quality. The artificial wetland system was composed of a pumping station and six sequential plants beds with five species of macrophytes: Oenanthe javanica, Acorus calamus, Zizania latifolia, Typha angustifolia, and Phragmites australis. The system was operated on free surface-flow system, and operation conditions were $3,444-4,156\; m^3/d$ of inflow rate, 0.5-2.0 hr of HRT, 0.1-0.2 m of water depth, 6.0-9.4 m/d of hydraulic loading, and relatively low nutrients concentration (0.224-2.462 mgN/L, 0.145-0.164 mgP/L) of inflow water. The mean purification efficiencies of TN ranged from 12.1% to 14.3% by showing the highest efficiency at the Phragmites australis bed, and these of TP were 6.3-9.5% by showing the similar ranges of efficiencies among all species. The mean purification efficiencies of SS and Chl-A ranged from 17.4% to 38.5% and from 12.0% to 20.2%, respectively, and the Oenanthe javanica bed showed the highest efficiency with higher concentration of influent than others. The mean purification amount per day of each pollutant were $9.8-4.1\;g{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$ in BOD, $1.299-2.343\;g{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$ in TN, $0.085-1.821\;g{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$ in TP, $17.9-111.6\;g{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$ in SS and $0.011-0.094\;g{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$ in Chl-a. The purification amount per day of TN revealed the hi링hest level at the Zizania latifolia bed, and TP showed at the Acrous calamus bed. SS and Chl-a, as particulate materials, revealed the highest purification amount per day at the Oenanthe javanica bed that was high on the whole parameters. It was estimated that the purification amount per day was increased with the high concentration of influent and shoot density of macrophytes, as was shown in the purification efficiency. Correlation coefficients between purification efficiencies and hydraulic conditions (HRT and inflow rate) were 0.016-0.731 of $R^2$ in terms of HRT, and 0.015-0.868 of $R^2$ daily inflow rate. Correlation coefficients of purification amounts per day with hydraulic conditions were 0.173-0.763 of Ra in terms of HRT, and 0.209-0.770 daily inflow rate. Among the correlation coefficients between purification efficiency and hydraulic condition, the percentages of over 0.5 range of $R^2$ were 20% in HRT and in daily inflow rate. However, the percentages of over 0.5 range of correlation coefficients ($R^2$) between purification amount per day and hydraulic conditions were 53% in HRT and 73% in daily inflow rate. The relationships between purificationamount per day and hydraulic condition were more significant than those of purifi-cation efficiency. In this study, high hydraulic conditions (HRT and inflow rate) are not likely to affect significantly the purification efficiency of nutrient. Therefore, the emphasis should be on the purification amounts per day with high hydraulicloadings (HRT and inflow rate) for the improvement of eutrophic reservoir withrelatively low nutrients concentration and large quantity to be treated.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.29 no.1 s.52
• /
• pp.15-26
• /
• 1996

It has been studied that a variety of fauna and flora are sensitive biological indicators which reflect the severity of regional pollution of heavy metals, but in the center of part of Taegu City the controversial issue of lead poisoning attributable to the atmosphere which contains an increased concentrations of lead has been raised recently, it is usually hard to find suitable plants or animal in the areas with heavy traffic. Pigeons are ubiquitous in and around Taegu City area, inhabiting even the most densely populated areas with heavy traffic. With its small body size, high metabolic turnover, and rather limited mobility, a pigeon, as a biological indicator is expected. This study was conducted to monitor lead pollution in the Taegu and Kyongju City in Korea. We measured the lead content of the various tissue of three groups of feral pigeon(Columba livia) and soil and atmospheric lead concentration. First group was obtained in heavy traffic area in Taegu City, the second group was obtained a park in Taegu City and the third group was obtained light traffic area in Kyongju City. The air and soil lead concentration of heavy traffic area in Taegu City was $0.11{\mu}g/m^3,\;4.96{\mu}g/g$, that of park in Taegu City was $0.05{\mu}g/m^3,\;2.65{\mu}g/g$ and that of light traffic area in Kyongju City was $0.03{\mu}g/m^3,\;0.01{\mu}g/g$. The lead content of lung, blood, kidney, femur and liver of feral pigeons in heavy traffic area in Taegu City was significantly higher than pigeons obtained in a park in Taegu City and low traffic density area in Kyongju City(p<0.01). But stomach lead content of three group did not reflect a significant difference. In this study positive correlation was found between atmospheric lead concentrations and the concentration of lead in the pigeon's lung(r=0.5040, p<0.001), blood(r=0.3322, p<0.01), kidney(r=0.4824, p<0.001), femur(r=0.7214, p<0.001) and liver(r=0.4836, p<0.01). We can also found positive correlation between soil lead concentrations and the concentration of lead in the pigeon's femur(r=0.4850, p<0.001), kidney(r=0.4850, p<0.001) and liver(r=0.4386, p<0.01). In the pigeon's tissue there were significant correlations between concentration of lead in the blood and kidney(r=4818, p<0.001), femur(r=0.6157, p<0.001) and liver(r=0.3889, p<0.001). In conclusion, at the heavy traffic area in Taegu City, lead concentrations found in the atmosphere and soil are reflected in the lead concentrations of different tissue of urban pigeons. It is suggested that the tissue of pigeons can be good biological indicators of environmental lead pollution.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.109-116
• /
• 1997

Purpose : Chronic renal failure is often accompanied by severe dyslipidemia, a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has recently been characterized as a risk factor for atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in adult patients on dialysis. However, there are only limited data available concerning risk factors for atherosclerosis in uremic children. We have measured serum levels of lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins and Lp(a) in uremic children with maintenance dialysis. Methods : Ten uremic children with hemodialysis (HD) and 14 with peritoneal dialysis (PD) in our dialysis unit were included in this study. The mean age of HD patients was $162{\pm}59$ months and the male to female ratio was 7:3. The mean age and sex ratio of PD patients were $123{\pm}63$ months and 6:8, respectively. The levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins and Lp(a) were measured from serum sampled after 14 hours of fasting. The normal control levels were cited from 2 articles presenting the normal blood lipid and lipoprotein levels of primary school and middle school children in Korea. Results : There was no difference in age, sex ratio, body mass index and duration of dialysis between the HD and the PD group. The serum concentration of the cholesterol, triglyceride and apolipoprotein B were significantly elevated in dialysis patients compared with normal subjects. The serum level of Lp(a) was significantly elevated in only PD group. The serum Lp(a) level was below 30 mg/dl in 13 and above 30 mg/dl in 11 patients. The serum albumin level was significantly decreased in high Lp(a) group than in low Lp(a) group. Conclusion : The uremic children receiving dialysis reveal abnormal serum lipid and lipoprotein profiles. These results suggest that they have a higher risk for coronary heart disease, although there has been no clinical evidence of coronary heart disease at present. A long-term follow-up study of these children to clarify the suggestion should be started now.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.255-260
• /
• 2005

For selecting a new candidate as functional material, this study was conducted on in vitro antioxidant activity and total phenol content of methanol and water extracts prepared from two Mentha species (M viridis L. (M spicata L.) and Mentha piperita L, Extracts of M. viridis showed more efficient scavenging activity on superoxide and DPPH ${({\alpha},{\alpha}-diphenyl-{\beta}-picrylhydrazyl)}$ radical and inhibitory activity on oxidation of human low density lipoprotein (LDL) induced by $CuSO_4$ and auto-oxidation of linoleic acid than those of M piprita. Methanol extract $(65.88%{\sim}77.59%)$ and water extract $(37.69%{\sim}87.21%)$ of M. viridis also exhibited more potent inhibitory activity on LDL oxidation than that of ${{\alpha}-tocopherol\;(28.37%{\sim}66.54%)}$ at ${1{\sim}100\;{\mu}g/ml}$ of final concentration. The total phenol contents of methanol extract and water extract of Mviridis (17.95% & 10.18%, respectively) as tannic acid equivalent were higher than those of M piperita (15.44% & 9.19%). But the yields of methanol and water extracts of M. viridis (13.3 % & 13.5%) were lower than those of M. piperita (14.1 % & 14.6%). The results implies that the extracts from M. viridis (spicata) is more useful material for industrialization as functional food than those from M. piperita.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.405-411
• /
• 2005

Chitosan, second largest biomass after cellulose on earth, has potential for use as functional food package due to its antibacterial activity. However, due to high melting temperature of chitosan, chitosan films have been made by casting method. Because gelatin has relatively low molting temperature depending upon amount of plasticizer added, it was added to chitosan to produce commercially feasible film. The objective of the current study was to determine optimum blend ratio and amount of chitosan/gelatin blend solutions against antibacterial activities for extruder resin. Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 and Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 15313) and -negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Salmonella enteritidis IFO 3313) were used. Paper (8 mm) diffusion and optical density methods were used to evaluate effect of different blending ratio solutions on the inhibition of bacterial growth. Measured clear none size ranged from 8 mm to 18.07 mm in paper diffusion test. For B. cereus, E. coli, and S. enteritidis, addition of $50\;{\mu}L$ blend solution (chitosan/gelatin = 2/8: 0.3 mg) resulted in clear zone on paper disc. In L. monocytogenes, inhibition effect was observed with 0.6 mg chitosan (chitosan/gelatin=4/6). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of B. cerues, L. monocytogenes, E. coli, and S. enteritidis with addition of chitosan were 0.1461, 0.2419, 0.0980, and 0.0490 mg/mL, respectively, These results indicate possibility of producing commercially feasible film with addition of optimum chitosan/gelatin amount.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.218-228
• /
• 2010

Components of dental resin-based restorative materials are reported to leach from the filling materials even after polymerization. Hydroquinone (HQ) is one of the major monomers used in the dental resin and is known as a carcinogen. Thus, carcinogenic risk of HQ leaching from the dental resin becomes a public health concern. The present study attempted to examine the carcinogenic potentials of HQ on the human epithelial cell, which is the target cell origin of the most of oral cancers. Cytotoxicity of HQ was observed above 50${\mu}M$ as measured by LDH assay, indicating a relatively low toxicity of this substance in human epithelial cells. The parameters of neoplastic cellular transformation such as cell saturation density, soft agar colony formation and cell aggregation were analyzed to examine the carcinogenic potential of HQ. The study showed that 2-week exposure of HQ showed the tendency of increase in the saturation density and the significant enhancement of soft agar colony formation at the highest dose, 50 ${\mu}M$ only. It is suggested that HQ has a weak potential of carcinogenicity. When cells were treated with HQ and TPA, a well-known tumor promoter, the parameters of neoplastic cellular transformation was significantly increased. This result indicates that the potential risk of carcinogenicity from HQ is largely dependent upon the presence of promoter. Exposure of 50 ${\mu}M$ HQ increased the time-dependent apoptosis as measured by the ELISA kit. This concentration coincides with a dose of neoplastic transformation, indicating a possible link between apoptosis and HQ-induced cellular transformation. Hydroquinone generated Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) which was evidenced by the treatment of antioxidants such as trolox and N-acetyl cysteine and the GSH depleting agent, BSO. Antioxidants blocked the generation of ROS and the GSH depleting agent, BSO dramatically increased the ROS production. Since HQ is known to increase ROS production thru activation of transcriptional factor such as c-Myb and Pim-1, it is speculated that ROS generation by HQ plays a role in the activation of oncogene, which may lead to neoplastic transformation. In addition, ROS is involved in the alteration of signal transduction, which regulates the apoptosis in many cellular systems. Thus, ROS-mediated apoptosis may be involved in the HQ-induced carcinogenic processes. Protein kinase C (PKC) is known to play pivotal roles in neoplastic transformation of cells and its high expression is often found in a variety of types of tumors including oral cancer. PKC translocation of PKC-${\alpha}$ was observed following HQ exposure. Altered signaling system may also play a role in the transformation process. Taken together, HQ leached from the dental resin does not pose a significant threat as a cancer causing agent, but its carcinogenic potential can be significantly elevated in the presence of promoter. The mechanism of HQ-induced carcinogenesis involved ROS generation, apoptosis and altered signaling pathway. The present study will provide a valuable data to estimate the potential risk of HQ as a carcinogen and understand mechanism of HQ-induced carcinogenesis in human epithelial cells.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.24-35
• /
• 2016

To assess the relationship between environmental factors and seasonal phytoplankton community structure, we investigated abiotic and biotic factors in Ulsan Bay, Korea. We divided the bay into two areas based on geographical characteristics and compared the difference in each factor between inner and outer bay with t-test statistics. As a result, temperature in the outer bay was higher than that of the inner bay during winter (t = -5.833, p < 0.01) and autumn (p > 0.05). However, opposite trend was observed during spring (t = 4.247, p < 0.01) and summer (t = 2.876, p < 0.05). Salinity was significantly lower in the inner bay than in the outer bay in winter, spring, and summer (p < 0.01). However, the salinity was not significantly different between the inner and the outer bay in the autumn (p > 0.05). In particular, high nutrient concentration was observed in most stations during winter season due to vertical well mixing. The nutrient concentration was significantly higher in surface layers of inner bay after rainfall, particularly in the summer. The relative contribution (approximately 70%) of < $20{\mu}m$ (nano and pico) size phytoplankton was increased in all seasons with continuously low nutrients from the offshore water due to their adaption to low nutrient without other large competitors. Interestingly, high population of Eutreptiella gymnastica was kept in the inner bay during the spring and summer associated with high DIN (nitrate+nitrite, ammonium) after river discharge following rainfall, suggesting that DIN supply might have triggered the increase of Eutreptiella gymnastica population. In addition, high density of freshwater species Oscillatoria sp. and Microcystis sp. were found in several stations of the inner bay that were provided with large amounts of freshwater from the Tae-wha River. Diatom and cryptophyta species were found to be dominant species in the autumn and winter. Of these, centric diatom Chaetoceros genus was occupied in the outer bay in the autumn. Cryptophyta species known as opportunistic micro-algae were found to have high biomass without competitors in the inner bay. Our results demonstrated that Ulsan Bay was strongly affected by freshwater from Tae-wha River during the rainy season and by the surface warm water current from the offshore of the bay during dry season. These two external factors might play important roles in regulating the seasonal phytoplankton community structures.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.67-78
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of humic acid on the germination, the growth and the yield of hot pepper when treated with organic hot pepper seedlings and growing season. The germination rate of 0.05% and 0.1% humic acid was higher than that of untreated, but the germination rates of 0.4% and 1.0% humic acid were 90.0% and 86.7%, respectively, compared with the control treatment (96.7%). At 30 days after transplanting, hot pepper treated with low (0.05%) or high (1.0%) concentration of humic acid decreased the growth of hot pepper seedlings, whereas 0.2% humic acid treatment significantly increased a average height (97.6 cm), leaf number (84.7) and fresh weight ($128.1g\;plant^{-1}$) of hot pepper. After 60 days of treatment with humic acid, the height of hot pepper was significantly longer in 0.2% humic acid. The mean green fruit number of 0.2%, 0.1% and 0.05% humic acid were not significantly different among the treatments, but the mean green pepper number of 0.4% and 1.0% humic acid treatments were the higher with 35.2% and 29.1%, respectively than other treatments. However, the fresh weight of green pepper was found to be $111.5g\;plant^{-1}$ more heavier than the untreated in 0.2% humic acid. The total ($5.8kg\;plant^{-1}$) and average ($1.4kg\;plant^{-1}$) fresh weight of pepper were higher than that of untreated control, except for the 1.0% humic acid treatment after 60 days of soil irrigation. The total weight of hot pepper treated with 0.2% and 0.1% humic acid treatment was $9.3kg\;plant^{-1}$ and $8.6kg\;plant^{-1}$, respectively, which were heavier than the other treatments. The effect of humic acid concentrations on soil microbial populations, pH and EC was investigated. The soil bacterial population density of 0.2% humic acid treatment was 3.5 times higher than that of untreated control soil. As the concentration of humic acid increased from 0.05% to 1.0%, pH and EC of hot pepper grown soil also increased.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.22 no.7
• /
• pp.821-828
• /
• 2016

The water quality and phytoplankton presence in the ballast water (BW) of 37 vessels originating from the international ports of China were investigated to facilitate negotiations for exemptions to the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWM Convention). The shortest duration given BW spent in a vessel was $3.91{\pm}4.61days$ in area "A", which included the Bohai Sea. Total suspended solids, dissolved organic carbon, and particulate organic carbon ranged from 1.80 to $266mg\;L^{-1}$, from 1.09 to $5.79mg\;L^{-1}$, and from 0.17 to $3.65mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. A low average concentration of nutrients was measured in BW from area "C", but the concentration of nutrients in BW from area "B" (around the Changjiang estuary) was high, which may be related to the relevant supply of freshwater. A high chlorophyll-a concentration (> $1{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$) was measured in six vessels, three of which carried BW in the area "A". High abundance of phytoplankton (> $10,000cells\;L^{-1}$) was measured in four vessels, two of which carried BW in the area "C". Vessel No. 37, originating from Hong Kong Bay in area "C", showed a high density of dinoflagellates. The results suggest that BWM Convention exemption negotiations with China should be performed cautiously.