• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.169-169
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• 2002

The mobilizable amount of transition metals is a fraction of the total amount of the metal from urban particulate matter. Although the fraction is small, some metals (Fe, Cu) are the major participants in a reaction that generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage various biomolecules. Damaging effects of the metals can be measured by the single strand breakage (SSB) of X174 RFI DNA or the carbonyl formation of protein. In another study, we have shown that more metals are mobilized by PM2.5 than by PM10 in general. DNA SSB of >20% for PM2.5 and >15% for PM10 was observed in the presence of chelator (EDTA or citrate)/reductant (ascorbate), compared to the control (<3%) only with the chelator. The carbonyl formation by both PMs was very similar in the presence of the chelator, regardless of the kind of proteins. Compared to the control in the absence of chelator/reductant, 3.3 times and 4.9 times more carbonyl formation for PM2.5 and PM10, respectively, was obtained with BSA in the presence of chelator/reductant, showing that PM10 induced 33% more damage than PM2.5. However, 4.8 times and 1.9 times more carbonyl formation for PM2.5 and PM10, respectively, was observed with lysozyme in the presence of chelator/reductant, showing that PM2.5 induced 250% more damage than PM10. Although different proteins showed different sensitivities toward ROS, all these results indicate that the degrees of the oxidation of or damage to the biomolecules by the mobilized metals were higher with PM2.5 than with PM10. Therefore, it is expected that more metals mobilized from PM2.5 than from PM10, more damage to the biomolecules by PM2.5 than by PM10. We suggest that when the toxicity of the dust particle is considered, the particle size as well as the mobilizable fraction of the metal should be considered in place of the total amounts.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.980-986
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• 2021

Natural products have always been an attractive source in terms of novel anti-metastatic compounds which can hinder MMP expression and activity. Corydalis heterocarpa is a salt marsh plant found in the seashores throughout Korea. Its yellow flowers and spikes have been an ingredient in folk medicine to treat spasm and contractions. The present study assessed the potential of different solvent-based fractions from the crude extract of Corydalis heterocarpa (CHE), a halophyte with reported bioactivities, to suppress the PMA-induced MMP expression in human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells. The solvent fractions which were named after the solvent used for fractionation (n-hexane, 85% aqueous (aq.) methanol (MeOH), n-butanol (BuOH), and H₂O were shown to inhibit the both elevated mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and simultaneously relieved the suppression on the expression of the endogenous MMP inhibitors TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. Results indicated that the CHE fractions might intervene with the PMA-induced activation of the MAPK signaling which is the upstream activator of MMP overexpression. Among tested samples, 85% aq. MeOH and n-hexane fractions of CHE was determined to be the most active and future studies to isolate the bioactive substances responsible for the regulation of the MMP expression are, therefore, urged. In conclusion, C. heterocarpa was shown to be a potential source of anti-metastatic compounds and n-Hexane and MeOH fractions might yield lead molecules to develop novel MMP inhibitors.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2018

Dimorphic fungi are characterized by the production of mycelia in the environment or when incubated at lower temperatures ($25{\sim}30^{\circ}C$) on media. The conversion to yeast occurs when invading a human body or when incubated at elevated temperatures ($35{\sim}37^{\circ}C$). Dimorphic fungi cause systemic infection and occur only in endemic regions; they can cause deep mycosis, which invades tissues and organs. Imported thermally dimorphic fungal pathogen has five genera, such as Coccidioides immitis, Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Talaromyces (Penicillium) marneffei, and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Thus far, 30 cases of dimorphic fungi have been reported in Korea, including C. immitis in 18, H. capsulatum in 5, B. dermatitidis in 3, and T. marneffei in 4 cases. Three 3 cases of C. immitis, 2 cases of H. capsulatum, 1 case of B. dermatitidis, and 1 case of Talaromyces (Penicillium) marneffei were reported in Korea, even though no experience of an epidemic was present. None the dimorphic fungi except for Sporothrix schenkii (Dimorphic fungi) occur in Korea but are caused by endemic fungi that can be found only in specific regions and limited areas of foreign countries. Considering the trends of migratory locals and the increasing number of immigrants living in and returning home, the incidence of imported infections is expected to increase.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.25-48
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• 1993

International concern over the environmental pollution is ever increasing, and diversified countermeasures must be devised in Korea also. Global trend, damages, problems and countermeasures with respect to issues mentioned in the Rio Declaration, such as prevention of ozone layer destruction, reduction of migratory atmospheric pollution between neighboring countries, and prevention of global greenhouse effect, were discussed in this report. Conclusion of the report is summarized as follows : A. Measurement, Planning and Monitoring (1) Development and implementation of a global network for measurement and monitoring from the global aspects such factors as related to acid rain(Pioneer substances, pH, sulfate, nitrate), effect of global temperature(Air temperature, $CO_2$, $CH_4$, CFC, $N_2O$) and destruction of ozone layer($CFC_S$). (2) Establishment of network system via satellite monitoring movement of regional air mass, damage on the ozone layer and ground temperature distribution. B. Elucidation of Present State (1) Improvement and development of devices for carbon circulation capable of accurately forecasting input and output of carbon. (2) Developmental research on chemical reactions of greenhouse gas in the air. (3) Improvement and development of global circulation model(GCM) C. Impact Assessment Impact assessment on ecosystem, human body, agriculture, floodgate, land use, coastal ecology, industries, etc. D. Preventive Measures and Technology Development (1) Development and consumption of new energy (2) Development of new technology for removal of pioneer substances (3) Development of substitute matter for $CFC_S$ (4) Improvement of agriculture and forestry means to prevent the destruction of ozone layer and the greenhouse effect of the globe (5) Improvement of housing to prevent the destruction of ozone layer and the greenhouse effect of the globe (6) Development of new technology for probing underground water (7) Preservation of forest (8) Biomass 5. Policy Development (1) Development of strategy model (2) Development of long term forecast model (3) Development of penalty charge effect and expense evaluation methods (4) Feasibility study on regulations By establishing the above mentioned measures for environmentally sound and sustainable development to establish the right to live for humankind and to preserve the one and only earth.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.350-353
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• 2009

As a result of human industrial development, carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) is currently accumulating in the atmosphere and dissolving into the oceans. Sequestration into the deep sea has been proposed as a possible solution to this increasing atmospheric $CO_2$, although the impact of such a program on marine ecosystems is unknown. We examined the effects of increased $CO_2$ levels on the growth of the olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Juvenile olive flounder 40 days post hatching were exposed to two levels of $CO_2$ (3.60-7.55 and 4.05-11.46 kPa) in running seawater for 26 days. During the exposure period, the pH and $CO_2$ levels of the water were measured, and the numbers of dead individuals were counted in each aquarium. Following the exposure period, the total lengths (mm) and body weights (mg) of the juvenile fish were measured. Both $CO_2$ treatments significantly increased fish mortality compared to controls ($19.87\pm4.53%$ vs. 7.14% and $75.96\pm1.36%$ vs. 7.14% for high and low doses, respectively). After the high $CO_2$ treatment, total length ($14.98\pm6.58$ mm vs. $19.52\pm1.83$ mm) and body weight ($28.92\pm13.85$ mg vs. $67.35\pm18.32$ mg) of the exposed flounder were reduced compared to the control fish; however, no significant differences in these values were observed after the low $CO_2$ dose. These results suggested that $CO_2$ exposure inhibits growth in the juvenile stage and that $CO_2$-enriched seawater is toxic in the early life stages of olive flounder.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.161-173
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• 2000

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the frequency of the L$N_2$ infusion on the ultrastructure, metabolism and development of the embryo after freezing and thawing by computerized cell freezer. Two-cell embryos of ICR mouse were randomly allocated into fresh (control), high-frequency freezing (group 1) and low-frequency freezing (group 2). For fresh and frozen-thawed intact 2-cell embryos, total ceil number in the blastocyst was counted by fluorescent microscope after Hoechst 33258 staining. Relative amount of $H_2O$$_2$ was measured by DCHFDA. Intracellular location and membrane potential of the mitochondria were evaluated by staining with rhodamine 123 and JC-1. The structure of actin filament was also evaluated by confocal microscope. DNA fragmentation was assessed by TUNEL method after development into blastocyst. The survival rate of intact embryo was higher in group 1 than group 2 (50.7％ vs. 34.6％ respectively, p<0.05). The blastocyst developmental rate was significantly low in group 2 (86.7％, 76.7％ vs. 44.0％ for control, group 1 and group 2 respectively, p<0.05). Total cell number in the blastocyst was also significantly lower in group 2 than control (79.5$\pm$12.9, 71.6$\pm$8.0, and 62.5$\pm$4.7 for control, group 1 and group 2 respectively, p<0.05). The relative amount of $H_2O$$_2$ was higher in group 2 than other groups (15.3$\pm$3.0, 16.6$\pm$1.6 vs. 23.4$\pm$1.8, p<0.05). After JC-1 staining, relative intensity of mitochondria with high membrane potential was significantly lower in group 2 than control and group 1 (17.2$\pm$3.8, 17.4$\pm$1.3 vs. 13.2$\pm$2.0, p<0.05). In group 2, partial deletion and aggregation of the actin filament was found. DNA fragmentation rate was also hieher for group 2 versus other groups (30.8％, 36.0％ vs. 65.6％, p<0.05). The frequency of the L$N_2$ infusion is an important factor for the development of frozen-thawed mouse embryo. High-frequency infusion may prevent damages of cytoskeleton and mitochondria in the embryo probably by preventing the temperature fluctuation during dehydration phase. We speculate that the application of high-frequency infusion method in human embryo may be promising.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.1127-1132
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• 2006

In our previous study, a novel herb mixture (HIM-I) of Angelica gigas radix, Cnidium officinale rhizoma, and Paeonia japonica radix was developed to protect the intestinal and immune systems and promote its recovery against radiation damage. A new herbal composition (HemoHIM) with the high immune modulating activity was developed from HIM-I. HIM-I was fractionated into ethanol fraction (HIM-I-E) and polysaccharide fraction (HIM-I-P). And HemoHIM was prepared by adding HIM-I-P to HIM-I. HemoHIM showed more effective than HIM-I in immune modulation as well as radioprotection. The present study is designed to investigate the protective effects of HIM-I, HIM-I-P, and HemoHIM on hydrogen peroxide $(H_2O_2)$ induced apoptosis of human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells. It was shown that $H_2O_2$ treatment reduced the viability of cells, and increased appearance of DNA ladders, hypodiploid (subG1) cells, and phosphatidylserine translocation level. Pretreatment of HemoHIM significantly reduced the cytotoxic effect induced by $H_2O_2$, associated with reducing the translocation of phosphatidylserine, hypodiploid cells and DNA ladders. HemoHIM appeared to be more protective than HIM-I against $H_2O_2$ induced apoptosis whereas, it exhibited similar activity to HIM-I-P. These results indicated that HemoHIM might be an useful agent for protection against oxidative stress $(H_2O_2)-induced$ apoptosis as well as immune modulation, especially since it is a relatively nontoxic natural product.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.10
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• pp.716-721
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• 2008

To explore the effects of deregulated expression of the EBNA1 binding protein 2 (EBP2) on cell growth, we generated human HEK293 stable clones constitutively expressing an EBP2-EGFP fusion protein. We found both RNA and protein levels of cyclin E1, a dominant oncoprotein, were elevated in the EBP2- EGFP stable clones. These findings were confirmed by flow cytometry bivariate analysis of cyclin expression versus DNA content. Moreover, the increase in p21 expression and the specific phosphorylation at Ser1981 of ATM and Ser15 of p53 were also observed in these stable clones, and these observations may explain the failure to observe an increase in Cdk2 kinase activity. In addition, after one year of passage culture, the EBP2-EGFP stable clones tended to lose 4 to 5 chromosomes per cell when compared to that of control cells. All of these findings provide a possible link between deregulated expression of EBP2 and tumor development.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1349-1368
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• 2016

Concentrations of fine particulate matter ($PM_{2.5}$) and several of its particle constituents measured outside homes in Houston, Texas, and Los Angeles, California, were characterized using multiple regression analysis with proximity to point and mobile sources and meteorological factors as the independent variables. $PM_{2.5}$ mass and the concentrations of organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), benzo-[a]-pyrene (BaP), perylene (Per), benzo-[g,h,i]-perylene (BghiP), and coronene (Cor) were examined. Negative associations of wind speed with concentrations demonstrated the effect of dilution by high wind speed. Atmospheric stability increase was associated with concentration increase. Petrochemical source proximity was included in the EC model in Houston. Area source proximity was not selected for any of the $PM_{2.5}$ constituents' regression models. When the median values of the meteorological factors were used and the proximity to sources varied, the air concentrations calculated using the models for the eleven $PM_{2.5}$ constituents outside the homes closest to influential highways were 1.5-15.8 fold higher than those outside homes furthest from the highway emission sources. When the median distance to the sources was used in the models, the concentrations of the $PM_{2.5}$ constituents varied 2 to 82 fold, as the meteorological conditions varied over the observed range. We found different relationships between the two urban areas, illustrating the unique nature of urban sources and suggesting that localized sources need to be evaluated carefully to understand their potential contributions to $PM_{2.5}$ mass and its particle constituents concentrations near residences, which influence baseline indoor air concentrations and personal exposures. The results of this study could assist in the appropriate design of monitoring networks for community-level sampling and help improve the accuracy of exposure models linking emission sources with estimated pollutant concentrations at the residential level.

• BMB Reports
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.237-243
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• 2001

Taxol, a natural product extracted from the Taxus brevifolia, is known to have significant anti-tumor activities against many common cancers, including ovarian and breast cancers. Despite the pronounced anti-tumor activity of this compound, its poor solubility in aqueous solutions hampers its clinical applications. We studied the anticancer mechanisms of the water-soluble taxol diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) used for radiolabeling, and compared it to that of taxol. In vitro cytotoxicities of taxol and taxol-DTPA conjugate were tested in HT29 human colorectal cancer cells by the MTT method. As the result, the $IC_{50}$ value of the taxol-DTPA conjugate was about three fold higher than that of taxol. When analyzed by an agarose gel electrophoresis, the DNA ladders became evident after the incubation of cells with the taxol-DTPA conjugate for 24 h. We also found morphological changes of the cells undergoing apoptosis with electron microscopy Next, we examined the signal pathway of taxol-DTPA conjugate-induced apoptosis in HT29 cells. The activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2) occurred at 10, 30, 60 and 120 min after 200 nM taxol-DTPA conjugate treatment. The pretreatment of the MEK inhibitor (PD98059) completely blocked the taxol-DTPA conjugate-induced ERK1/2 activation. The activated ERK1/2 translocated into the nucleus at the same time and phosphorylated its transcriptional factor, c-Jun. These results suggest that the taxol-DTPA conjugate has an apoptotic activity in HT29 cells, and that its proapoptic activity might be related with the signal transduction via ERK1/2 and c-Jun similar to that of taxol.