• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.108-117
• /
• 2010

In this study, ambient particulate matter ($PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$) levels were measured and their chemical and physical properties were characterized. Two sites in Gwangju were sampled once a month from December 2008 to November 2009. The annual mean concentrations of $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ were $26.9\;{\mu}g/m^3$ and $46.3\;{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, in Nongseongdong and $26.1\;{\mu}g/m^3$ and $44.8\;{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, in Duam-dong. $PM_{2.5}$ levels were 1.8 times higher than the USA Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) national ambient air quality standard for $PM_{2.5}$ ($15\;{\mu}g/m^3$). The average $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ ratio of 0.58 suggested that $PM_{2.5}$ is a significant component of the ambient particle pollution. The order of concentration of metallic elements in $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ was Si > Al > Fe > Zn > Pb > Cu > Mn. Cd was not detected. The earth crustal enrichment factors for Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in $PM_{2.5}$ were higher than those in $PM_{10}$. When the earth crustal enrichment factors for Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn were higher than 10, this suggested influence from anthropogenic sources. The soil contribution ratios for $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ were 11.3% and 16.4%, respectively, and were higher in the fall and winter. Anions (${SO_4}^{-2}$, ${NO_3}^-$, and $Cl^-$) comprise 28.7% of $PM_{2.5}$ and 21.4% of $PM_{10}$. The correlation coefficient of Zn-Fe, Mn-Cu, Fe-Cu and Fe-Mn in $PM_{2.5}$ was high in the sampling sites, and metallic elements were primarily from anthropogenic sources such as fuel combustion and vehicle emissions.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.30 no.7
• /
• pp.573-584
• /
• 2021

To analyze the effects of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 on daily mortality cases, the relations of death counts from natural causes, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases with PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations were applied to the generalized additive model (GAM) in this study. From the coefficients of the GAM model, the excessive mortality risks due to an increase of 10 ㎍/m³ in daily mean PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 for each cause were calculated. The excessive risks of deaths from natural causes, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases were 0.64%, 1.69%, and 1.16%, respectively, owing to PM₁₀ increase and 0.42%, 2.80%, and 0.91%, respectively, owing to PM_2.5 increase. Our result showed that particulate matter posed a greater risk of death from respiratory diseases and is consistent with the cases in Europe and China. The regional distribution of excessive risk of death is 0.24%-0.81%, 0.34%-2.6%, and 0.62%-1.94% from natural causes, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases, respectively, owing to PM₁₀ increase, and 0.14%-1.02%, 1.07%-3.92%, and 0.22%-1.73% from natural causes, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases, respectively, owing to PM_2.5 increase. Our results represented a different aspect from the regional concentration distributions. Thus, we saw that the concentration distributions of air pollutants differ from the affected areas and identified the need for a policy to reduce damage rather than reduce concentrations.

• Journal of Urban Science
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.25-28
• /
• 2019

Hefei has suffered from heavy air pollution, especially car exhaust and industry emissions. The smoke contains PM2.5 and PM10. These smoke will enter people's bodies and have a bad impact on the human body. This review is about PM2.5. This review covers the sources and hazards of PM2.5. It introduces the use of modelling methods to analyze PM2.5 pollution in various places and proposes treatment measures. These cities were heavily polluted by PM2.5, and after the local government's management and renovation, there has been a significant improvement. However, there are still many shortcomings in the process of pollution improvement. This review combines the means used in the process of pollution prevention and control in Handan City, Beijing. Hefei now suffers from some of the same pollution as these cities did in the past.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.77-80
• /
• 2008

In the present study, effects of concentration of cryoprotectant solutions on the nuclear maturation of vitrified-thawed porcine oocytes were examined. Also, the developmental capacity of vitrified-thawed immature porcine oocytes following ICSI was investigated. Oocytes were cultured in NCSU-23 medium supplemented with 5% FBS at $38^{\circ}C$ in 5% $CO_2$ and air. The in vitro maturation rate of vitrified-thawed oocytes ($24.1{\pm}2.5%$) was lower than that of the control ($46.0{\pm}3.2%$, p<0.05). The in vitro maturation rate of vitrified-thawed oocytes treated with $1.0{\sim}5.0\;ug$ CB + NCSU- 23 medium were $22.2{\pm}3.0%$, $30.7{\pm}3.2$, $46.3{\pm}3.1%$, $38.5{\pm}3.2%$, respectively. The in vitro maturation rate ($46.3{\pm}3.4%$) of the vitrified-thawed oocytes treated with $3.0\;{\mu}g$ CB for 30 min was the highest of all vitrification groups. When the in vitro developmental rates of the vitrified-thawed (with EDS and EDT) oocytes following ICSI were $18.5{\pm}2.5%$, $16.4{\pm}2.1%$, respectively. This results were lower than the control group ($24.0{\pm}2.5%$).

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 1980

Serum TSH levels were measured by radioimmunoassay before and after intravenous administration of synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) to 15 normal subjects and 55 patients with primary thyroid disease (14 patients with euthyroidism, 24 patients with thyrotoxicosis and 17 patients with hypothyroidism) to evaluate pituitary TSH reserve and its diagnostic availability. The observed results were as follows. 1. In normal subjects, serum TSH responses to synthetic TRH were $3.2{\pm}1.0$ at 0min (baseline TSH level), $8.0{\pm}4.0$ at 10min, $11.7{\pm}5.0$ at 20min, $13.7{\pm}7.1$ at 30min, $9.7{\pm}5.0$ at 60min., $5.2{\pm}2.0$ at 120min. and $3.6{\pm}0.4{\mu}U/ml$ at 180 min. Serum TSH peaked at $20{\sim}30$ minutes and returned nearly to baseline at 180minutes. 2. In euthyroid group, serum TSH responses to synthetic TRH were $3.3{\pm}1.6$ at 0min, $8.6{\pm}8.0$ at 10min, $10.9{\pm}8.5$ at 20min, $12.5{\pm}8.4$ at 30min, $9.0{\pm}5.9$ at 60min, $5.6{\pm}2.6$ at 120min and $3.5{\pm}1.3{\mu}U/ml$ at 180min. No significant difference revealed between euthyroid group and normal subjects (p>0.05). 3. In hyperthyroid group, serum TSH responses to synthetic TRH were $1.5{\pm}0.6$ at 0min, $2.2{\pm}0.8$ at 10min., $2.3{\pm}1.0$ at 20min., $2.4{\pm}1.5$ at 30min., $2.1{\pm}1.1$ at 60min., $1.9{\pm}0.2$ at 120min. and $1.5{\pm}0.8{\mu}U/ml$ at 180min., No response to TRH showed. 4. In hypothyroid group, mean values of serum TSH response to synthetic TRH were 42.0 at 0min., 60.6 at 10min., 124.8 at 20min., 123.0 at 30min., 101.6 at 60min., 64.3 at 120min. and $15.5{\mu}U/ml$ at 180 min., Patients with primary hypothyroidism showed an exaggerated TSH response to synthetic TRH despite their high basal TSH. 5. Side effects attending synthetic TRH administration were transient nausea (59.0%), desire to micturate (59.0%), feeling of flushing(19.7%), dizziness (45.9%), metallic taste (9.8%) and headache (19.7%). Any side effect didn't show in 16.4%. These symptoms began almost immediately after TRH intravenous injection and lasted several minutes, and not related to dose or response in the person experiencing it.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.38 no.12
• /
• pp.1096-1104
• /
• 2015

Particulate $matter_{2.5}$ ($PM_{2.5}$) is notorious for its strong toxic effects on the cardiovascular, skin, nervous, and reproduction systems. However, the molecular mechanism by which $PM_{2.5}$ aggravates disease progression is poorly understood, especially in a water-soluble state. In the current study, we investigated the putative physiological effects of aqueous $PM_{2.5}$ solution on lipoprotein metabolism. Collected $PM_{2.5}$ from Seoul, Korea was dissolved in water, and the water extract (final 3 and 30 ppm) was treated to human serum lipoproteins, macrophages, and dermal cells. $PM_{2.5}$ extract resulted in degradation and aggregation of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) as well as low-density lipoprotein (LDL); apoA-I in HDL aggregated and apo-B in LDL disappeared. $PM_{2.5}$ treatment (final 30 ppm) also induced cellular uptake of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) into macrophages, especially in the presence of fructose (final 50 mM). Uptake of oxLDL along with production of reactive oxygen species was accelerated by $PM_{2.5}$ solution in a dose-dependent manner. Further, $PM_{2.5}$ solution caused cellular senescence in human dermal fibroblast cells. Microinjection of $PM_{2.5}$ solution into zebrafish embryos induced severe mortality accompanied by impairment of skeletal development. In conclusion, water extract of $PM_{2.5}$ induced oxidative stress as a precursor to cardiovascular toxicity, skin cell senescence, and embryonic toxicity via aggregation and proteolytic degradation of serum lipoproteins.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.70-76
• /
• 2015

Background and Objectives: Insomnia is the most prevalent sleep disorder in the general population and is considered to be a disorder of hyperarousal. The aim of this study was to measure the psychophysiological responses in insomnia patients using a biofeedback system, and to compare them with results from normal healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: Eighty patients with primary insomnia (35 males and 45 females, average age $49.71{\pm}12.91years$) and 101 normal healthy controls (64 males and 37 females, average age $27.65{\pm}2.77$) participated in this study. Electromyography (EMG), heart rate (HR), skin conductance (SC), skin temperature (ST), and respiratory rate (RR) were recorded using a biofeedback system during 5 phases (baseline, stress 1, recovery 1, stress 2, recovery 2) of a stress reactivity test, and average values were calculated. Difference in values between the two groups in each corresponding phase was analyzed with independent t-test, and change in values across phases of the stress reactivity test was analyzed with paired t-test (all two-tailed, p<0.05). Results: Compared to normal controls, insomnia patients had higher EMG in all 5 phases (baseline : $7.72{\pm}3.88{\mu}V$ vs. $4.89{\pm}1.73{\mu}V$, t = -6.06, p<0.001 ; stress 1 : $10.29{\pm}5.16{\mu}V$ vs. $6.63{\pm}2.48{\mu}V$, t = -5.84, p<0.001 ; recovery 1 : $7.87{\pm}3.86{\mu}V$ vs. $5.17{\pm}2.17{\mu}V$, t = -5.61, p<0.001 ; stress 2 : $10.22{\pm}6.07{\mu}V$ vs. $6.98{\pm}2.98{\mu}V$, t = -4.37, p<0.001 ; recovery 2 : $7.88{\pm}4.25{\mu}V$ vs. $5.17{\pm}1.99{\mu}V$, t = -5.27, p<0.001). Change in heart rate across phases of the stress reactivity test were higher in normal controls than in insomnia patients (stress 1-baseline : $6.48{\pm}0.59$ vs. $3.77{\pm}0.59$, t = 3.22, p = 0.002 ; recovery 1- stress 1 : $-5.36{\pm}0.0.59$ vs. $-3.16{\pm}0.47$, t = 2.91, p = 0.004 ; stress 2-recovery 1 : $8.45{\pm}0.61$ vs. $4.03{\pm}0.47$, t = 5.72, p<0.001 ; recovery 2-stress 2 : $-8.56{\pm}0.65$ vs. $4.02{\pm}0.51$, t = -5.31, p<0.001). Conclusion: Psychophysiological profiles of insomnia patients in a stress reactivity test were different from those of normal healthy controls. These results suggest that the sympathetic nervous system is more highly activated in insomnia patients.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.132-140
• /
• 2007

Concentrations of atmospheric fine particles in Chungnam were measured at 7 sampling sites during 2005. The daily average concentrations of PM 10, PM2.5, and PM1 ranged from 14.9 to $136.5{\mu}g/m^3$, 8.2 to $113.2{\mu}g/m^3$, and 5.7 to $107.5{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively, and the highest levels were observed at Yeongi site. The lowest concentrations for the all size fractions of particulate were observed at Taean located at the west end of the peninsula. The daily average PM10 concentrations were below the current National Standard at all sites, while the daily average PM2.5 concentrations frequently exceeded the US Standard at Cheonan, Dangjin, Boryeong, and Yeongi sites. The frequencies of PM2.5 concentrations exceeding the US standard at Cheonan, Dangjin, Boryeong, and Yeongi were 10.8%, 6.7%, 6.7%, and 26.7%, respectively. In addition, $68{\sim}80%$ of PM10 was in the PM2.5 fraction indicating that fine particles were the major component of atmospheric particles in Chungnam.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.666-670
• /
• 1995

The plasmin activity of euglobulin fraction treated with earthworm extract(EWE) increased concentration dependently when EWE(0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg each) were added to normal plasma. It was shown that lumbrokinase in EWE may be moved to euglobulin fraction and activated plasminogen. Also anticoagulation and fibbrinolysis were studied when EWE(7.5, 30 and 120 mg/kg) were added to rat model. Prothrombin time (PT) were 19.7${\pm}$ 3.8, 22.5${\pm}$ 2.5 and 24.5${\pm}$ 5.0sec. activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were 25.7${\pm}$ 5.9, 28.7${\pm}$ 5.2 and 36.5${\pm}$ 19.1 sec. After 15 days, the production of D-dimer were 242.3${\pm}$ 47.4, 250.0${\pm}$ 11.9 and 205.8${\pm}$ 12.2mg/ml plasma, respectively. These data showed that EWE acted on the coagulation factor of intrinsic and extrinsic system.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.24-30
• /
• 1997

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnositc value of the absolute and relative renal uptake rates on $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan of children with febrile UTI. Method: The absolute and relative renal uptake rates of $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ were checked in 68 children with febrile urinary tract infection (35 with unilateral focal defect; 13 with bilateral focal defect; and 20 with diffuse bilateral defect) and 49 children with afebrile UTI and normal $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan as control. Results: The renal absolute uptake rate in the control group were $21.8{\pm}3.9%(right),\;22.2{\pm}3.9%(left),\;and\;44.2{\pm}7.8%(total)$. The absolute uptake rate gradually increased until the age 12 months and then was stationary. In febrile UTI with unilateral focal defect on the $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan, both relative and absolute uptake rates were similarly diagnostic ($41.2{\pm}9.7%,\;16.5{\pm}5.4%$ vs $50.0{\pm}2.6%,\;22.0{\pm}3.9%$, p<0.01). In acute pyelonephritis with bilateral focal defect on the $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan, the absolute uptake rate was significantly more diagnostic than the relative uptake rate[$17.3{\pm}5.3%$ (right), $17.4{\pm}5.3%\;(left),\;vs\;21.8{\pm}3.9%,\;(right)\;22.2{\pm}3.9%$, (left)% p<0.01]. In febrile UTI with bilateral diffuse defects on the $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan, the absolute uptake rate was significantly diagnostic than the relative uptake rate [$18.1{\pm}3.9%\;(right),\;18.4{\pm}3.8%\;(left),\;vs\;21.8{\pm}3.9%,\;(right)\;22.2{\pm}3.9%$(left), p<0.01]. Conclusion: In the $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan, the absolute uptake rate was more useful than the relative uptake rate to evaluate bilateral acute pyelonephritis.