• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.185-189
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• 2002

Along with the worldwide rapid increase of the cultivation area and commercial production of genetically modified (GM) crops, the amount of GM grains imported to Korea has also been increasing. Roundup-Ready soybean (RRS) was introduced with 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3-photphate synthase (EPSPS) gene derived from Agrobacterium CP4 to confer the resistance to herbicide, glyphosate. In this study, we tried to develop PCR-based analytical method to detection the presence of RRS among non-GM soybeans. In order to detect RRS specifically, oligonucleotide primers were specifically designed based on the nucleotide sequence of EPSPS transgene. Qualitative PCR method was established and its specificity and accuracy were confirmed by analysing the nucleotide sequence of PCR DNA fragments. Bioassay was also conducted by spraying glyphosate at seedling stage. Survived individuals showed obvious resistance to Roundup Ready, however all of non-GM seedlings died in two weeks after spray. Conclusively, the highly selective detection systems for RRS were successfully established by both PCR using specific primers to EPSPS transgene and bioassay using the herbicide resistance of RRS. In addition to, the imported soybean showed to be mixed to several varieties regarding to 100-seed weight and hilum color.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.1087-1093
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• 2005

The population diversity and seasonal changes of bacterial communities in rice soils were monitored using both culture-dependent approaches and molecular methods. The rice field plot consisted of twelve subplots planted with two genetically-modified (GM) rice and two non-GM rice plants in three replicates. The DGGE analysis revealed that the bacterial community structures of the twelve subplot soils were quite similar to each other in a given month, indicating that there were no significant differences in the structure of the soil microbial populations between GM rice and non-GM rice during the experiment. However, the DGGE profiles of June soil after a sudden flooding were quite different from those of the other months. The June profiles exhibited a few intense DNA bands, compared with the others, indicating that flooding of rice field stimulated selective growth of some indigenous microorganisms. Phylogenetic analysis of l6S rDNA sequences from cultivated isolates showed that, while the isolates obtained from April soil before flooding were relatively evenly distributed among diverse genera such as Arthrobacter, Streptomyces, Terrabacter, and Bacillus/Paenibacillus, those from June soil after flooding mostly belonged to the Arthrobacter species. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences obtained from the soil by cloning showed that April, August, and October had more diverse microorganisms than June. The results of this study indicated that flooding of rice fields gave a significant impact on the indigenous microbial community structure; however, the initial structure was gradually recovered over time after a sudden flooding.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.113-124
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• 2019

Insect-resistant transgenic (Bt-9) rice was generated by inserting mCry1Ac1, a modified gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, into the genome of a conventional variety of rice (Ilmi). With regard to potential problems such as safety, an evaluation of non-target organisms is necessary as an essential element of an environmental risk assessment of genetically modified (GM) crops. We studied the effects of the Bt-9 rice on the survival of cantor Daphnia magna, a commonly used model organism in ecotoxicological studies. D. magna fed on the Bt-transgenic rice (Bt-9) and its near non-GM counterparts (Ilmi) grown in the same environment (a 100% ground rice suspension). The Bt-9 rice was confirmed to have the inserted T-DNA and protein expression evident by the PCR and ELISA analyses. The feeding study showed a similar cumulative immobility and abnormal response of the Daphnia magna between the Bt-9 rice and Ilmi. Additionally, the 48 h-EC50 values of the Bt-9 and Ilmi rice were 4,400 mg/L (95% confidence limits: 3861.01 - 5015.01 mg/L) and 5,564 mg/L (95% confidence limits: 4780.03 - 6476.93 mg/L), respectively. The rice NOEC (No observed effect concentration) value for D. magna was suggested to be 1,620 mg/L. We conclude that the tested Bt-9 and Ilmi have a similar cumulative immobility for D. magna, a widely used model organism, and the growth of Bt-9 did not affect non-target insects.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.315-323
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• 2022

Background: Socioeconomical disadvantaged communities are more vulnerable to environmental chemical exposure and associated health effects. However, there is limited information on chemical exposure among vulnerable populations in Korea. Objectives: This study investigated chemical exposure among underprivileged populations. We measured urinary metabolites of phthalates in urban disadvantaged communities and investigated their correlations with residential environment factors and relative socioeconomic vulnerability. Methods: Urine samples were collected from 64 residents in a disadvantaged community in Seoul. A total of eight phthalate metabolites were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Analytical method used by the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) was employed. Covariate variance analysis and general linear regression adjusted with age, sex and smoking were performed. Results: Several phthalate metabolites, namely monomethyl phthalate (MMP), monoethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) had higher levels than those reported in the adults of 4th KoNEHS. Notably, the MnBP level was higher in the lower socioeconomic group (geometric mean [GM]=47.3 ㎍/g creatinine) compared to non-recipients (GM=31.9 ㎍/g creatinine) and the national reference level (GM=22.0, 28.2 and 32.2 ㎍/g creatinine for adults, 60's and 70's, respectively.). When age, sex and smoking were adjusted, MEP and MnBP were significantly increased the lower socioeconomic group than non-recipients (p=0.014, p=0.023). The lower socioeconomic group's age of flooring were higher than non-recipients, not statistically significant. Conclusions: These results suggest that a relatively low income and aged flooring could be considered as risk factors for increased levels of phthalate metabolites in socioeconomic vulnerable populations.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.9 s.89
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• pp.1224-1231
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• 2007

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-II have structure like insulin. In contrast to insulin, however, the bioavaility of IGFs is modulated by the IGF-binding protein (IGFBPs). Each of IGFBPs was different with molecular masses, biological characteristics, and immunological properties.. Human fibroblasts secrete IGFBPs that can modify IGF-I action. In diabetes mellitus, the most study of IGF systems have been investigated in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and streptozotocin-in-duced animals in vivo. Recently, a little research regarding the IGFs system has been proposed in por-tion of cell in vitro. In this study, effects of low or high glucose condition on IGFBP-5 in GM10 was investigated. By western blotting analysis, IGFBP-5 level decreased in cells cultured at high glucose, but IGFBP-5 level of mRNA didn't change. IGFBP-5 protease that cleaves IGFBP-5 in conditioned me-dium had was inhibited by EDTA and heparin, like serine protease and metalloprotease. Furthermore, the protease activity was increased in high glucose cultivated condition. In results of gelatin zymog-raphy, molecular weight of proteolytic metalloenzymes was indentified 69-kDa and protease activity was increased in time-dependent manner. Although the mechanism has yet to be determined, IGFBP-5 proteolysis in GM10 cells cultured with high glucose may increase effects of IGFs to decrease the glu-cose level through dissociation of IGFs from IGFBPs. Therefore, we suggest that IGF- I and IGFBPs could be potential models in study of pathophysiology such as diabetes mellitus.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.165-169
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• 2009

Twelve Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) isolates were isolated from genetically modified (GM) and non-GM Capsicum annuum in two GM fields, Namyangju and Anseong, and their properties were investigated in this study. Coat protein (CP) gene of the CMV isolates were synthesized by RT-PCR using genus-specific primers which designed to amplify a DNA fragment of 950 bp. Purified cDNA fragments were cloned into the pGEMT easy vector for sequence determination. Nucleotide sequences (internal 657 bp) of CMV isolates were compared with Fny-CMV CP sequences and there were no significant collection site specific sequence similarities found. When predicted amino acid sequences (219 amino acids) were compared with Fny-CMV CP amino acids sequences, there were 96.8% to 97.3% similarities found from Namyangju collections and 95.9% to 96.8% similarities from Anseong collections. The phylogenetic analysis with nucleotide sequences showed definite differences in CMVs which have been isolated from the two regions.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.464-476
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• 2019

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the exposure levels of tollbooth workers to diesel particulate matter using black carbon (BC) and to find the correlations among variables associated with BC using the motor vehicle management act regulated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Methods: This study was performed over 14 days at a university in Seoul. BC levels were monitored using an aethalometer and were conducted around the breathing zones of the workers. There were three sampling locations: inside the tollbooth (front gate and rear gate) and an office as a control group. T-test, correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis were performed using SPSS. Results: The geometric mean (GM) of BC_30min concentrations in the exposure group was 2.44 ㎍/㎥, approximately 1.4 times higher than the control group (1.75 ㎍/㎥). The GM of BC_30min concentrations was 2.75 ㎍/㎥ during the heavy traffic time (9-10 am) and 2.30 ㎍/㎥ during non-heavy traffic times (p<0.001). The multiple linear regression analysis shows that the number of all types of vehicles and PM_2.5 concentrations in the atmosphere were factors increasing the GM of BC(ln(BC_30min)) concentrations (adjusted R²=0.42, p<0.001). The workers were constantly exposed to low concentrations (GM of BC_30min=2.44 ㎍/㎥), but they were exposed to peak concentrations instantly (BC_10sec=3545.04 ㎍/㎥). When the GM of BC_30min concentrations was momentarily represented as high, it was identified that a vehicle mainly using diesel fuel or an aging vehicle had passed. Conclusions: A ventilation system should be installed in the closed tollbooth or aging vehicles should be controlled so as not to pass tollbooths.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.22-25
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• 1989

Ethylacetate fraction from Orobanche crenata, contained two phenylpropanoid glycosides, exhibited some pharmacological properties. It was found to be non-toxic to rats in oral doses up to 500mg/100gm body weight. In large doses, it lowered the arterial blood pressure of anaethetised rats, and produced significant analgesic effect in mice and diuretic effect in rats. It further showed smooth muscle relaxant and antispasmodic effects in the isolated rabbit intestine and guinea-pig ileum respectively.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.150-150
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• 2003

The objective of this study was to describe the distribution of metals concentrations in blood of adults who were not occupationally exposed in Korea. The blood samples were obtained between February and August 2001 from volunteer adults in urban area of Korea. 66 male participants were 46 (20-75) years of age and 74 female were 40 (20-69) years of age. The levels of metals in blood were observed the log-normal distribution, and we calculated geometric mean (GM) and geometric standard deviation (GSD). The GM levels of metals in blood of the men were 65.88$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$, 1.01$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$, 0.23$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$ and 0.15$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$, for Pb, Cr, Ni and Cd, respectively. The GM levels of the women were 58.49$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$, 1.66$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$, 0.30$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$ and 0.10$\mu\textrm{g}$/$\ell$, for Pb, Cr, Ni and Cd, respectively. The levels of Pb-B and Cd-B were significantly higher non-smoker than smoker, whereas those of Cr-B and Ni-B were not different by smoking habit.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.145-154
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• 2009

The main goal of this paper is to develop a methodology for increasing the reliability of truck OD matrices in Seoul Metropolitan Area. We propose a Hybrid Method made up of five processes by using Non-Traffic Assignment and Gradient Method. A Hybrid Method and Gradient Method have applied for comparison and estimation in Seoul Metropolitan Area. Mean Error and Root Mean Square Error of a Hybrid Method present lower than Gradient Method. The findings of this paper show that the new truck OD matrices created by a Hybrid Method are more reliable than the existing truck OD matrices in the Seoul Metropolitan Area.