• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.311-320
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• 2021

Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is associated with the development of various diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying oxidative stress that lead to such diseases like autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) remain unclear. Here, we observed that oxidative stress markers were increased in Pkd1f/f:HoxB7-Cre mice. Forkhead transcription factors of the O class (FOXOs) are known key regulators of the oxidative stress response, which have been observed with the expression of FoxO3a in an ADPKD mouse model in the present study. An integrated analysis of two datasets for differentially expressed miRNA, such as miRNA sequencing analysis of Pkd1 conditional knockout mice and microarray analysis of samples from ADPKD patients, showed that miR-132-3p was a key regulator of FOXO3a in ADPKD. miR-132-3p was significantly upregulated in ADPKD which directly targeted FOXO3 in both mouse and human cell lines. Interestingly, the mitochondrial gene Gatm was downregulated in ADPKD which led to a decreased inhibition of Foxo3. Overexpression of miR-132-3p coupled with knockdown of Foxo3 and Gatm increased ROS and accelerated cyst formation in 3D culture. This study reveals a novel mechanism involving miR-132-3p, Foxo3, and Gatm that is associated with the oxidative stress that occurs during cystogenesis in ADPKD.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.129-136
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• 2008

Three benzimidazole pesticides commonly used in korean lettuce were subjected to a field residue trial to ensure safety of terminal residue in the harvest. The residual patterns of three benzimidazole pesticides, which were carbendazim, benomyl and thiophanate-methyl were examined after applying with the recommended dose in two types of korean lettuce (Chima and Chuckmeon) and their DT50 were calculated. In Chima lettuce, biological half-lives of carbendazim, benomyl and thiophanate-methyl were 2.56, 1.37 and 2.54 days, respectively and their required time under MRL(5.0 mg/kg as carbendazim) were 4.5, 2.2 and 1.0days. In Chuckmeon lettuce, biological half-lives of them were 3.41, 1.70 and 4.20 days, respectively and their required time under MRL were 5.4, 1.9 and 0.5days.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.156-163
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• 2008

This study was to introduce a methodology of ecological health assessment for efficient management and to provide some diagnostic results of the survey. We evaluated ecological health assessment at five sampling locations of Sikjang Mountainous Stream using the index of biological integrity (IBI) and Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) during May - October 2006. The health condition, based on the IBI model, averaged 32 and varied from 27 to 37 depending on the sampling sites. Thus, the stream health was judged as "good" to "fair" conditions. IBI values showed slight differences between upstream and downstream sites. Whereas, QHEI values varied from 75 (fair condition) to 196 (excellent condition) and QHEI at St. 4~5, indicating the downstream reach had significantly lower than the headwater site (St.1). Regression analyses also showed that QHEI values had a linear decrease from the headwater to downstream. This result indicated that habitat quality was rapidly degradated by human influence. Overall, data of IBI and QHEI suggested that the stream health was maintained well in the present but the habitat and biological quality were partially degradated in the downstream. So, the human interference should be minimized to protect the downstream environment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권11호
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• pp.5469-5475
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• 2012

Background and Objectives: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a complex genetic disease involving many fusion oncogenes (FO) having prognostic significance. The frequency of various FO can vary in different ethnic groups, with important implications for prognosis, drug selection and treatment outcome. Method: We studied fusion oncogenes in 101 pediatric ALL patients using interphase FISH and RT-PCR, and their associations with clinical features and treatment outcome. Results: Five most common fusion genes i.e. BCR-ABL t (22; 9), TCF3-PBX1 (t 1; 19), ETV6-RUNX1 (t 12; 21), MLL-AF4 (t 4; 11) and SIL-TAL1 (del 1p32) were found in 89/101 (88.1%) patients. Frequency of BCR-ABL was 44.5% (45/101). BCR-ABL positive patients had a significantly lower survival ($43.7{\pm}4.24$ weeks) and higher white cell count as compared to others, except patients with MLL-AF4. The highest relapse-free survival was documented with ETV6-RUNX1 (14.2 months) followed closely by those cases in which no gene was detected (13.100). RFS with BCR-ABL, MLL-AF4, TCF3-PBX1 and SIL-TAL1 was less than 10 months (8.0, 3.6, 5.5 and 8.1 months, respectively). Conclusions: This is the first study from Pakistan correlating molecular markers with disease biology and treatment outcome in pediatric ALL. It revealed the highest reported frequency of BCR-ABL FO in pediatric ALL, associated with poor overall survival. Our data indicate an immediate need for incorporation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of BCR-ABL+ pediatric ALL in this population and the development of facilities for stem cell transplantation.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.100-115
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• 2009

Secondhand smoke (SHS) is one of major public health threats. Since secondhand smoke is complex mixture of toxic chemicals, there has been no standardized method to measure SHS quantitatively. The purpose of this manuscript was to review various quantitative methods to measure SHS. There are two different methods: air monitoring and biological monitoring. Air monitoring methods include exhaled carbon monoxide level, ambient fine particulates, nicotine and 3-ethenylpyridine. Measurement of fine particulates has been utilized due to presence of real-time monitor, while fine particulates can have multiple indoor sources other than SHS. Ambient nicotine and 3-EP are more specific to SHS, although there is no real-time monitor for these chemicals. Biological monitoring methods include nicotine in hair, cotinine in urine, NNK in urine and DNA adducts. Nicotine in hair can provide chronic internal dose, while cotinine in urine can provide acute dose. Since biological monitoring can provide total internal dose, identification of specific exposure source may be difficult. NNK in urine can indicate carcinogenicity of the SHS exposure. DNA adducts can provide overall cancer causing exposure, but not specific to SHS. While there are many quantitative methods to measure SHS, selection of appropriate method should be based on purposes of assessment. Application of accurate and appropriate exposure assessment method is important for understanding health effects and establishing appropriate control measures.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.505-511
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• 2012

While the existing sewage treatment facilities are mainly being operated by biological processes, winter-time efficiency improvement and additional phosphorus treatment equipment using chemicals have been required to follow the effluent criteria of TP (0.2, 0.3 and 0.5 mg/L for the zone of I, II and III respectively) and $BOD_5$ (5.0 mg/L) which is intensified from 2012 in Republic of Korea. We made an investigation into actual condition of biological treatment process and calculated the optimal chemical input amount by jar test of supernatant of secondary sedimentation tank to evaluate the process improvement for the intensified criteria. Ejector BAF system for removing TP, $BOD_5$ of sewage effluent was suggested. The concentration of TP from biological process is 0.3-0.8 mg/L, and the input amount of optimal chemical coagulant was above Al/P ratio of 3(1.9 mg/L as Al) to meet the criteria of TP for secondary treatment effluent. From the results of this experiment, the best Al/P ratio for Ejector BAF system was about Al/P ratio of 1, and LV of BAF process for intensified criteria of $BOD_5$ and TP was below 1.97m/hr.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.106-113
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• 2010

Purpose: This study is conducted to examine the relationship among self management, HbA1c, and perceived health status of type II diabetes patients in community health department. Methods: Data were collected from 93 type II diabetes patients who are registered at five community health center using comprehensive survey, modified self care behavior, blood glucose and HbA1c were assessed by nurses. The data was analyzed by the SPSS (14.0) computer program, and it included descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: There was significant relationship between perceived health status and HbA1c (r=-.252, p=.015). There was significant relationship between self management and HbA1c (r=-.279, p=.007). Conclusion: In order to control blood glucose in the type II diabetes patients, it is necessary to develop supportive self management programs by considering perceived health status.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.3-26
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• 2005

In recent years, there is growing concern about the potential use of biological agents in war or acts of terrorism accompanied an increased realization that rapid preparedness and response are needed to prevent or treat the human damage that can be caused by these agents. The threat is indeed serious, and the potential for devastating numbers of casualties is high. The use of agents as weapons, even on a small scale, has the potential for huge social and economic disruption and massive diversion of regional and national resources to combat the threat, to treat primary disease, and to clean up environmental contamination. Biological weapons are one of weapons of mass destruction (or mass casualty weapons, to be precise. since they do not damage non-living entities) that are based on bacteria, viruses, rickettsia, fungi or toxins produced by these organisms. Biological weapons are known to be easy and cheap to produce and can be used to selectively target humans, animals, or plants. Theses agents can cause large numbers of casualties with minimal logistical requirements (in wide area). The spread of disease cannot be controlled until there is awareness of the signs of infection followed by identification of agents; and if the organism is easily spread from person to person, as in the case of smallpox, the number of casualties could run into the tens of thousands. Biological weapons could be used covertly, there can be a lot of different deployment scenarios. A lot of different agents could be used in biological weapons. And, there are a lot of different techniques to manufacture biological weapons. Terrorist acts that make use of Biological Agents differ in a number of ways from those involving chemicals. The distinction between terrorist and military use of Biological Weapon is increasingly problematic. The stealthy qualities of biological weapons further complicate the distinction between terrorism and war. In reality, all biological attacks are likely to require an integrated response involving both military and civilian communities. The basic considerations when public health agencies establish national defence plan against bioterrorism must be 1) arraying various laws and regulations to meet the realistic needs, 2)education for public health personnels and support of concerned academic society, 3)information collection and cooperative project with other countries, 4)Detection and surveillance(Early detection is essential for ensuring a prompt response to biological or chemical attack, including the provision of prophylactic medicines, chemical antidotes, or vaccines) and 5) Response(A comprehensive public health response to a biological or chemical terrorist event involves epidemiologic investigation, medical treatment and prophylaxis for affacted persons, and the initiation of disease prevention or environmental decontamination measures). The purpose of this paper is providing basic material of preparedness and response for biological terrorism in modern society.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.268-276
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• 2015

Objectives: According to the 2007 Korea National Environmental Health Survey (KNEHS), some areas in the Gyeongsang Provinces showed very high blood mercury levels in adults. We conducted this project to investigate any related health effects in children due to mercury levels in these areas. Methods: In total, 1,097 students between grades 3 and 6 at 19 elementary schools were recruited from four areas with high mercury exposure as identified by the KNEHS. Total mercury levels in biological samples were compared with health check-ups performed on the schoolchildren. Biological monitoring, supported by questionnaires, a computerized neurobehavioral test, a posturography test and a personality test, were applied. Results: Triglycerides showed a significant relation with mercury in blood, urine and hair. Total mercury concentrations were divided into two groups: upper and lower concentration groups based on the median value. In the computerized neurobehavioral test, the upper blood mercury group showed a greater reaction time for color-word vigilance (p<0.05). In the posturography test, the intensity value of the tremor test showd high significant relations with mercury levels (p<0.01). In the personality test, self-consciousness, misdeeds and family relationships showed significant differences between the upper and lower urine mercury groups (p<0.01), and specific reactions, ego resilience and hyperactivity also showed some differences (p<0.1). Conclusion: Some items in the neurobehavioral test, posturography test and personality test showed significant relations with biological mercury levels. Therefore, monitoring and appropriate management of students showing high mercury levels are recommended in order to reduce their mercury exposure.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.356-368
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• 2010

In this study, we applied approach of integrative star-plot area (SPA), chemical water quality and habitat conditions (QHEI) to diagnoze ecological conditions at the eight sampling sites of Sapkyo Stream. These outcomes were compared with biological health based on the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) using fish assemblage. And then, we evaluated the integrative ecological health condition using the star-plot method. This approach based on the sum of all the star-plot areas over these water and habitat characteristics. It was developed to reflect an integrative assessment of the ecological health in the stream. The biological health, based on the model values of IBI indicating "fair-poor" condition according to the criteria. Physical habitat health, based on the QHEI, averaged 123 indicating a "good-fair" condition. Also, chemical health, based on simply BOD values indicating "poor grade" according to the criteria of the Ministry of Environment Korea (MEK). The SPA indicating that 50% of the all was impaired condition and the most sampling sites were downstream sites influenced by the point and non-point sources. Overall our results suggest that the ecological health impact was a combined effect of eutrophication and habitat degradations in the stream. The approach of SPA can be used as a tool to evaluate the integrative health of stream environment and to identify possible causes of observed effects.