• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.108-117
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• 2023

Background: When particles are absorbed into the human body, they penetrate deep into the lungs and interact with the tissues of the body. Heavy metals in PM_2.5 can cause various diseases. The main source of PM_2.5 emissions in South Korea's atmosphere has been surveyed to be places of business. Objectives: The concentration of heavy metals in PM_2.5 near the Ulsan Industrial Complex was measured and a health risk assessment was performed for residents near the industrial complex for exposure to heavy metals in PM_2.5. Methods: Concentrations of heavy metals in PM_2.5 were measured at four measurement sites (Ulsan, Mipo, Onsan, Maegok) near the industrial complexes. Heavy metals were analyzed according to the Air Pollution Monitoring Network Installation and Operation Guidelines presented by the National Institute of Environmental Research. Among them, only five substances (Mn, Ni, As, Cd, Cr⁶⁺) were targeted. The risk assessment was conducted on inhalation exposure for five age groups, and the excess cancer risk and hazard quotient were calculated. Results: In the risk assessment of exposure to heavy metals in PM_2.5, As, Cd, and Cr⁶⁺ exceeded the risk tolerance standard of 10^-6 for carcinogenic hazards. The highest hazard levels were observed in Onsan and Mipo industrial complexes. In the case of non-carcinogenic hazards, Mn was identified as exceeding the hazard tolerance of 1, and it showed the highest hazard in the Ulsan Industrial Complex. Conclusions: This study presented a detailed health risk from exposure to heavy metals in PM_2.5 by industrial complexes located in Ulsan among five age groups. It is expected to be utilized as the basis for preparing damage control and industrial emission reduction measures against PM_2.5 exposure at the Ulsan Industrial Complex.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.161-167
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• 2009

Objectives : Maekmoondong-tang (MMDT), a Korean herbal medicine, has been used to treat severe dry cough in patients with bronchitis and pharyngitis. MMDT has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, immunomodulatory, secretory-modulating, and metabolic regulatory actions. However, there are no evidence in regard to the effects of MMDT on carcinogenesis and metastasis. Here, we investigated the effects of 70% ethanol extract of MMDT on cell viability, apoptosis, and motility in human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. Methods : Cell viability was measured using the CCK-8 assay, and the apoptosis induction was evaluated by caspase-3 activity. To detect apoptotic features, the cells treated with MMDT were stained with 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Cell motility was examined by Boyden chamber assay and Real-time Cell Index of Migration assay. Gelatin zymography also performed to measure matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 activity. Results : We found that MMDT significantly inhibited cell proliferation and increased caspase-3 activity in a dose-dependent manner in HepG2 cells. Apoptotic features such as chromatin condensation and apoptotic bodies were observed in MMDT-treated cells by DAPI staining. MMDT also suppressed PMA-induced cell motility and activities of MMP-2/9. Conclusions : Our results exhibited that MMDT possess the anti-carcinogenetic and anti-metastatic activities via caspase-3 activation and down-regulation of cell motility and invasion in HepG2 cells. Therefore, these findings suggest that MMDT could be potentially applied to the prevention and treatment of cancer.

• 분석과학
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• 제22권5호
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• pp.386-394
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• 2009

폼알데히드는 피혁 제조나 사진 건판, 폭약 등을 만들 때 이용되며, 정수장에서 오존 처리시 생성되는 소독 부산물이기도 하다. 노출시 안구 가려움증, 간지러움, 콧물, 코막힘, 두통 등의 증상이 나타나며 목이 건조해지거나 염증이 유발된다. 폼알데히드는 US. EPA에서 호흡으로 흡입할 경우 발암등급 B1으로 분류하는 발암성 물질이다. 본 연구에서는 폼알데히드의 분석을 위해 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) 유도체를 만든 후, 고체상 카트리지를 사용하여 추출하였고 High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Diode Array Detector (HPLC/DAD) 로 분석하였다. 검출 한계는 $3{\mu}g/L$이고, 72.3~109.1% (상대표준편차 2.9~11.5%)의 회수율을 보였다. 1998년도부터 2007년도까지 4대강 수계를 중심으로 채수하여 분석한 결과, 정수에서 검출 빈도 48.8% (630/1291), $5.15{\sim}101.9{\mu}g/L$의 농도로 검출되었다. 먹는물 음용시 비발암성을 고려한 95 percentile 전국 평균 위험지수는 $4.37{\times}10^{-3}$로, 이는 1 이하였으므로 안전한 수준으로 판단하였다.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제49권5호
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• pp.262-274
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• 2023

Background: Exposure levels for heavy metals such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) have increased due to human activities. They are known to be a public health concern. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the exposure levels to heavy metals in the blood and urine of South Korean adults and to present the contribution rate of exposure pathways using an exposure algorithm for men aged 19~64, women aged 19~64, and all seniors aged 65 or older. Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) Cycle 4 (2018~2020). A total of 2,646 participants aged ≥19 years were included. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting heavy metal concentrations. The contribution rate was calculated by applying three exposure algorithms for ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure. Results: Factors that commonly affect heavy metal concentrations in blood and urine were gender and age. The main influencing factors for Pb and Cd were education level and smoking status, while frequency of fish consumption and of alcohol consumption were indicated to be the main influencing factors for mercury. The contribution rates of lead and cadmium from food ingestion were 78.03~79.62% and 88.39~92.89%, respectively. Additionally, the highest contribution for mercury was accounted for by food at 81.69~85.77%. As a result of the risk assessment, cadmium was found to pose a potential health risk a with total cancer risk (TCR) of more than 1×10^-6. Conclusions: The KoNEHS could be an important study for determining the level of exposure to heavy metals and their influencing factors. Integrated exposure to heavy metals could assess the main exposure pathways, and this methodology could be applied to exposure management of heavy metals.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제49권6호
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• pp.289-294
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• 2023

Background: Artificial sweeteners are chemically synthesized substances used to add sweetness to foods. Representative substances include aspartame and acesulfame-K, which are 200 times sweeter than sugar. Recently, the IARC classified aspartame as class 2B, but Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of South Korea announced that it would maintain the current usage standards. Acesulfame-K, which has the potential to cause cancer, was excluded from the list of possible carcinogens, raising questions about its safety. According to a survey by the Consumers Union of Korea, 85% of makgeolli includes artificial sweeteners, but the content labelling is not indicated. It is necessary to accurately determine the intake of artificial sweeteners through makgeolli. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the safety of makgeolli consumption by identifying the content of artificial sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfam-K) and preservatives (sorbic acid). Methods: Twenty makgeolli samples were purchased from large supermarkets and convenience stores by referring to the sales ranking of makgeolli products distributed in South Korea and the purchase ranking from online sites. The sample was sonicated to remove alcohol and carbon dioxide. Nine mL of acetonitrile was mixed with 1 mL of the prepared sample, centrifuged, and the supernatant was filtered and analyzed using HPLC. Results: As a result of the analysis, aspartame was detected in 17 products and acesulfame-K was detected in ten. The ADI of aspartame (40 mg/kg·bw/day) is higher than the EDI based on the maximum concentration 126.5 ㎍/mL. The ADI of acesulfame-K (15 mg/kg·bw/day) is higher than the EDI based on the highest concentration of 82.96 ㎍/mL. Although the health risk is low, IARC has raised the possibility of aspartame causing carcinogenesis, so there is a need to reevaluate the standards and regulations for artificial sweeteners. Conclusions: Through this study, we aimed to determine the content of aspartame and acesulfame-K contained in makgeolli currently distributed in South Korea and the safety of exposure to the human body when consumed.

• 공업화학
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.23-28
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• 2024

세슘은 높은 수용성으로 인하여 인체에 쉽게 침투하여 암 또는 DNA의 변형을 유발하는 잠재적인 독성 오염물질이다. 본 연구에서는 활성탄소의 세슘 흡착 능력을 향상시키고자 오존 처리를 통하여 활성탄소 표면에 산소 작용기를 도입하였다. 오존 처리 시간의 증가에 따라 활성탄소 표면의 산소함량이 증가하였다. 이후 활성탄소와 세슘 사이의 정전기적 상호작용이 더욱 원활하게 이루어져 모든 시료의 세슘 이온 흡착 효율이 향상되었다. 특히 반응기 내부 오존 농도를 50000 ppm으로 하여 7 min 동안 오존 처리한 시료는 약 12%의 높은 산소 작용기 함량을 보이며 97.6%의 가장 높은 세슘 제거 효율을 보였다. 한편, 5 min 동안 처리된 시료는 7 min간 반응한 시료와 비교하여 0.3%의 근소한 세슘 제거율 차이를 보였으며, 이는 오존 기체의 반응 특성으로 인한 두 시료의 표면화학적 유사성에 기인한다. 그러나, 오존 처리된 활성탄소의 세슘 흡착 성능은 활성탄소의 비표면적 및 기공 구조도 중요하지만 표면에 도입된 산소 작용기 양이 주된 영향을 미치는 것으로 판단된다.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.1-22
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• 2024

목 적: 본 연구의 목적은 유방암 세포(MCF-7) 이식 누드 마우스 모델을 이용하여 육종용 열수 추출물의 면역활성 효과를 통한 항암 활성을 체계적으로 평가하는 것이다. 육종용 열수 추출물은 유방암 치료제로 자주 사용되는 대표적인 경구용 항암제인 tamoxifen 경구 투여군과 비교하여 분석 연구하였다. 방 법: 총 110마리의 6주령 암컷 누드 마우스를 준비하여, 7일간 적응 후 체중이 일정한 마우스를 선정하여 우측 둔부 피하부위에 MCF-7 세포를 이식하였다. 종양세포 이식을 한 지 20일 후, 종양 크기 및 체중을 기준으로 그룹 당 8마리씩 본 실험에 사용하였다. MCF-7 이종 이식 21일 후부터 매일 1회씩 35일간 육종용 열수 추출물을 10 ml/kg의 용량(400, 200 및 100 mg/kg)으로 경구 투여하였으며, tamoxifen 역시 10 ml/kg의 용량(20 mg/kg)으로 경구 투여하였고, 정상 및 종양 이식 매체 대조군에서는 멸균증류수만 종양 이식 21일 후부터 동일한 방법으로 35일간 경구 투여 하였다. 결 과: 본 실험의 결과, MCF-7 세포 이식을 함으로써 현저한 비장 및 하악하 림프절 무게, 혈중 IFN-γ의 함량, IL-1β 및 IL-10의 함량, 비장내 TNF-α, 비장세포 및 복강 대식구의 활성의 감소가 관찰되었고, 비장 및 하악하 림프절의 림프구 감소에 의한 조직병리학적 위축 또한 관찰되었다. 그리고 체중 및 증체량의 감소 역시 관찰되었으며, 혈중 IL-6 함량의 증가, 난소 주위의 지방 무게의 감소 및 조직병리학적으로 난소 주위의 축적 지방 조직 위축 현상이 인정되어, 종양 이식 후에 전형적인 종양과 관련된 면역억제와 악액질 현상이 유발된 것으로 판단되었다. 한편 육종용 열수 추출물 400, 200 및 100 mg/kg 경구 투여군에서는 종양 이식 대조군에 비해 유의성 있는 현저한 항암활성이 투여 용량 의존적으로 관찰되었다. 또한 tamoxifen 20 mg/kg 경구 투여군에서는 종양 관련 악액질 소견이 오히려 악화되는 반면, 육종용 열수 추출물 경구 투여군에서는 면역활성 및 악액질 억제 효과가 관찰되었다. 결 론: 본 연구 결과, 육종용 열수 추출물의 적절한 경구 투여는 심각한 부작용 없이, 종양 관련 악액질 소견을 포함하여, 효과적인 유방암 치료 수단을 제공할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.22.1-22.25
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• 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndromecoronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread over the world causing a pandemic which is still ongoing since its emergence in late 2019. A great amount of effort has been devoted to understanding the pathogenesis of COVID-19 with the hope of developing better therapeutic strategies. Transcriptome analysis using technologies such as RNA sequencing became a commonly used approach in study of host immune responses to SARS-CoV-2. Although substantial amount of information can be gathered from transcriptome analysis, different analysis tools used in these studies may lead to conclusions that differ dramatically from each other. Here, we re-analyzed four RNA-sequencing datasets of COVID-19 samples including human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, nasopharyngeal swabs, lung biopsy and hACE2 transgenic mice using the same standardized method. The results showed that common features of COVID-19 include upregulation of chemokines including CCL2, CXCL1, and CXCL10, inflammatory cytokine IL-1β and alarmin S100A8/S100A9, which are associated with dysregulated innate immunity marked by abundant neutrophil and mast cell accumulation. Downregulation of chemokine receptor genes that are associated with impaired adaptive immunity such as lymphopenia is another common feather of COVID-19 observed. In addition, a few interferon-stimulated genes but no type I IFN genes were identified to be enriched in COVID-19 samples compared to their respective control in these datasets. These features are in line with results from single-cell RNA sequencing studies in the field. Therefore, our re-analysis of the RNA-seq datasets revealed common features of dysregulated immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 and shed light to the pathogenesis of COVID-19.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.23.1-23.15
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• 2024

The widespread use of antimicrobials causes antibiotic resistance in bacteria. The use of butyric acid and its derivatives is an alternative tactic. This review summarizes the literature on the role of butyric acid in the body and provides further prospects for the clinical use of its derivatives and delivery methods to the animal body. Thus far, there is evidence confirming the vital role of butyric acid in the body and the effectiveness of its derivatives when used as animal medicines and growth stimulants. Butyric acid salts stimulate immunomodulatory activity by reducing microbial colonization of the intestine and suppressing inflammation. Extraintestinal effects occur against the background of hemoglobinopathy, hypercholesterolemia, insulin resistance, and cerebral ischemia. Butyric acid derivatives inhibit histone deacetylase. Aberrant histone deacetylase activity is associated with the development of certain types of cancer in humans. Feed additives containing butyric acid salts or tributyrin are used widely in animal husbandry. They improve the functional status of the intestine and accelerate animal growth and development. On the other hand, high concentrations of butyric acid stimulate the apoptosis of epithelial cells and disrupt the intestinal barrier function. This review highlights the biological activity and the mechanism of action of butyric acid, its salts, and esters, revealing their role in the treatment of various animal and human diseases. This paper also discussed the possibility of using butyric acid and its derivatives as surface modifiers of enterosorbents to obtain new drugs with bifunctional action.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제56권6호
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• pp.2182-2189
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• 2024

The high-purity germanium gamma-ray spectrometer was used to measure the radioisotope in surface water of lakes in a Chinee petroleum industrial area. 92 samples were collected from surface water of three lakes. Activity concentrations of ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K in three lakes were measured, distributed in the range of 101.8-209.4, 192.1-224.9 and 335.0-548.9 mBq/L, respectively. Results were all within the limits of WHO and China. Potential environmental and health risks were assessed by calculating some radiation hazard indicators, radium equivalent index, annual effective dose, excess lifetime cancer risk, absorbed dose rate, external hazard index, internal hazard index, annual gonadal dose equivalent, activity utilization index and representative gamma index, which ranged 0.38-0.54 Bq/L, 0.06-0.08 mSv/y, 0.23 × 10^-3-0.31 × 10^-3, 0.17-0.24 nGy/h, 1.01 × 10^-3-1.46 × 10^-3, 1.55 × 10^-3-2.02 × 10^-3, 1.16-1.66 μSv/y, 3.13 × 10^-3-4.45 × 10^-3 and 2.60 × 10^-3-3.77 × 10^-3. The results were all at acceptable levels, meaning no impact on human health. The relationship between the electrical conductivity of surface water and the activity concentration of ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K was evaluated. The electrical conductivity value was 0.241-0.369 mS/cm, showing a significant correlation coefficient between ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K and electrical conductivity. Multivariate statistical methods were used to determine the relationship between the activity concentrations of ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, and ⁴⁰K, radiation hazard indicators and electrical conductivity.