• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.358-367
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the analytical method for PAH metabolites in human urine using enzyme hydrolysis and solid-phase extraction coupled with LC-(ESI)-MS/MS technique. Methods: We employed HPLC tandem mass spectrometry techniques with appropriate pre-treatment for analysis of 16 OH-PAHs in human urine. Samples were hydrolysis by ${\beta}$-flucuronidase/Aryl sulfatase, and target compounds were extracted by solid-phase extraction with a strata-x cartridge. Cross-validation was performed between Eulji University and Green Cross laboratories with 200 human urine samples. Results: The accuracies were between 90.3% and 118.8%, and precisions (relative standard deviations) were lower than 10%. The linearity obtained was satisfying for the 16 OH-PAH compounds, with a coefficient of determination ($r^2$) higher than 0.99. The results of cross-validation at the two organizations were compared by ICC (interclass correlation coefficient) values. The cross-validation results were excellent or good for all compounds. Conclusion: An analytical method was validated for low nanogram levels of 16 OH-PAHs in human urine. Also, satisfying results were obtained for method validation such as accuracy, precision and ICC of cross-validation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.229-237
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• 2014

Objectives: This study intends to determine the current status of management of personal protective equipment fume hoods in university laboratories. Methods: A walk-through survey of 402 labs in Gyeongbuk Province and Daegu Metropolitan City were carried out between May 2009 and July 2010. Respectively, 348 and 54 laboratories were examined in Gyeongbuk Province and Daegu. Results: In size, labs serving over 15,000 student made up the majority with 276(66.4%). In terms of major, engineering labs were the highest in number with 100(24.9%). As to personal protective equipment, a gas mask and a dust mask were available in 17.8% and 14.3% of the labs, respectively, but 68.9% of labs were equipped with protective goggles. Meanwhile, only 12.7% of labs had separate protective equipment storage boxes. About 60% of the labs had installed a fume hood, of which the average capture velocity was 0.37 m/sec. Conclusions: For toxic substances, the labs are obliged to provide personal protective equipment in in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act. In addition, the capture velocity of fume hoods must be in strict compliance in order to prevent occupational diseases due to toxic chemicals.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.11
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• pp.1695-1700
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• 2014

Oriental herbal liquor (Yakju) is a type of Korean traditional alcoholic beverage that uses Nuruk and oriental herbs for fermentation. The purpose of this study was to develop cosmetic ingredients using Jubak, which is a by-product of alcoholic fermentation of oriental herbal liquor. To investigate antioxidant, whitening, and anti-aging effects of Jubak, we prepared extract of Jubak and its solvent fractions. Ethyl acetate fraction (KSD E4-3) showed the most prominent free radical [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)] scavenging activity ($SC_{50}$: 0.75 mg/mL). KSD E4-3 significantly inhibited in vitro mushroom tyrosinase activity ($IC_{50}$: 0.82 mg/mL) and reduced the melanin contents in mouse melanoma melanocyte, B16F10 cells. KSD E4-3 down-regulated protein expression of tyrosinase related proteins (TRP)-1, -2, which play key roles in melanogenesis. For anti-aging effects, inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) expression was evaluated using human keratinocyte, HaCaT cells. Treatment of HaCaT cells with KSD E4-3 reduced expression of MMP-1, -2, -9 and inhibited proteolytic activities of MMP-2, -9. These results suggest that KSD E4-3 induces down-regulation of cellular melanogenesis and protects against photoaging induced by UVB-induced damage. Thus KSD E4-3 could potentially be a valuable cosmetic ingredient.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.2032-2038
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• 2011

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of zinc-containing endopeptidases, participate in many normal processes such as embryonic development and wound repair, and in many pathological situations such as cancer, atherosclerosis, and arthritis. Peptidomimetic MMP inhibitors were designed and synthesized with N-formylhydroxylamine (retrohydroxamate) as a zinc-binding group and various side chains on the ${\alpha}$, P1', and P2' positions. Using in vitro MMP assays with purified MMPs (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-14) and fluorogenic peptide substrates, it was found that compounds 2d and 2g selectively inhibit gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and interstitial collagenase (MMP-1). They also inhibited the chemo-invasion of fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells and tube formation of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. Our results suggest that retrohydroxamate-based MMP inhibitors, especially compounds 2d and 2g, have the potential to be used as therapeutic drugs for cancer and other MMP-related diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.169-174
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• 2015

Cervical cancer (CxCa) is the most common cancer in women and a prominent cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The primary cause of CxCa is human papillomavirus (HPV). Radiation therapy and chemotherapy have been used as standard treatments, but they have undesirable side effects for patients. It was reported that gallic acid has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. Gold nanoparticles are currently being used in medicine as biosensors and drug delivery agents. This study aimed to develop a drug delivery agent using gold nanoparticles conjugated with gallic acid. The study was performed in uninfected (C33A) cervical cancer cells, cervical cancer cells infected with HPV type 16 (CaSki) or 18 (HeLa), and normal Vero kidney cells. The results showed that GA inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells by inducing apoptosis. To enhance the efficacy of this anticancer activity, 15-nm spherical gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were used to deliver GA to cancer cells. The GNPs-GA complex had a reduced ability compared to unmodified GA to inhibit the growth of CxCa cells. It was interesting that high-concentration ($150{\mu}M$) GNPs-GA was not toxic to normal cells, whereas GA alone was cytotoxic. In conclusion, GNPs-GA could inhibit CxCa cell proliferation less efficiently than GA, but it was not cytotoxic to normal cells. Thus, gold nanoparticles have the potential to be used as phytochemical delivery agents for alternative cancer treatment to reduce the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.453-461
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• 2014

Objective: Based on the fact that fine particles are more likely to produce negative influences on the health of occupants as well as the quality of indoor air compared to coarse particles, it is critical to determine concentrations of aerosol particles with different sizes. Thus, this study focused on the size distribution and concentrations of aerosol particles in university buildings. Method: Aerosol particles in indoor air were collected from four areas: corridors in buildings(In-CO), lecture rooms(In-RO), laboratories(In-LR), and a cafeteria(In-RE). Samples were also collected from outside for comparison between the concentrations of indoor and outdoor particles. For the collection of the samples, an eight stage non-viable cascade impactor was used. Result: The average concentration of $PM_{10}$ in the samples collected from indoor areas was $34.65-91.08{\mu}g/m^3$,and the average for $PM_{2.5}$ was $22.65-60.40{\mu}g/m^3$. The concentrations of the aerosol particles in the corridors, lecture rooms, and laboratories were relatively higher than the concentrations collected from other areas. Furthermore, in terms of mass median aerodynamic diameter(MMAD), the corridors and lecture rooms had higher numbers due to their characteristics, showing $2.36{\mu}m$ and $2.11{\mu}m$, respectively. Laboratories running an electrolysis experiment showed $1.58{\mu}m$, and the cafeteria with regular maintenance and ventilation had $1.96{\mu}m$. Conclusion: The results showed that the $PM_{10}$ concentrations of all samples did not exceed indoor air quality standards. However, the $PM_{2.5}$ concentration was over the standard and, in particular, the concentration of fine particles collected from the laboratories was relatively higher, which could be an issue for the occupants. Therefore, it is important to improve the quality of the indoor air in university buildings.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.305-315
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• 2003

Purpose: To describe the status of the laboratory facilities, equipment and expenses for practice in a four-year nursing schools and to analyze mandatory requirements for laboratory facilities and equipment. Method: A descriptive survey research design was used. The participants were 49 of the 4-year nursing schools across the nation. The data were collected by e-mail. The return rate for questionnaires was 63.3% (n=31). Result: In 2001 the total expenses for laboratory practice were 21,865,230 won and the average per student was 102,418 won. Types of laboratories included single and complex. The mean size for laboratories was $318.7m^2$ and mean size for laboratories for fundamental nursing was $161.1m^2$. The range for number of students in a laboratory class was 20-30 for eight universities (30.8%). Among required laboratory equipment, items that were deficient in 50% in the universities were mercury and aneroid sphygmomanometers for children, electronic sphygmomanometers, Bell type fetal stethoscopes, sheepskin, beds for children, for gynecology, and electronic hilo beds. Among the elective equipment, items that were deficient in 50% of the universities were $O^2$ tents, Blackmore tubes, retractors, hot-water supply, and incentive spirometers. The number of items that needed to add to the equipment were 10 for required equipment and 22 for elective equipment. Conclusion: A standardized mandatory list of equipment for laboratory facilities and expenses for practice in 4-year nursing schools needs to be developed.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2009

Gaegurin 4(GGN 4), an antimicrobial peptide isolated from a Korean frog, is five times more potent against Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria, but has little hemolytic activity. To understand the mechanism of such cell selectivity, we examined GGN4-induced $K^+$ efflux from target cells, and membrane conductances in planar lipid bilayers. The $K^+$ efflux from Gram-positive M. luteus(2.5 ${\mu}g/ml$) was faster and larger than that from Gram-negative E. coli(75 ${\mu}g/ml$), while that from RBC was negligible even at higher concentration(100 ${\mu}g/ml$). GGN4 induced larger conductances in the planar bilayers which were formed with lipids extracted from Gram-positive B. subtilis than in those from E. coli(p<0.01), however, the effects of GGN4 were not selective in the bilayers formed with lipids from E. coli and red blood cells. Addition of an acidic phospholipid, phosphatidylserine to planar bilayers increased the GGN4-induced membrane conductance(p<0.05), but addition of phosphatidylcholine or cholesterol reduced it(p<0.05). Transmission electron microscopy revealed that GGN4 induced pore-like damages in M. luteus and dis-layering damages on the outer wall of E. coli. Taken together, the present results indicate that the selectivity of GGN4 toward Gram-positive over Gram-negative bacteria is due to negative surface charges, and interaction of GGN4 with outer walls. The selectivity toward bacteria over RBC is due to the presence of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol, and the trans-bilayer lipid asymmetry in RBC. The results suggest that design of selective antimicrobial peptides should be based on the composition and topology of membrane lipids in the target cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.186-196
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• 2007

Background: Although IL-12 has been widely accepted to playa central role in the control of pathogen infection, the use of recombinant IL-12 (rIL-12) as a vaccine adjuvant has been known to be ineffective because of its rapid clearance in the body. Methods: To investigate the effect of sustained release of IL-12 in vivo in the peptide and protein vaccination models, rIL-12 was encapsulated into poly ($A_{DL}$-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). Results: We found that codelivery of IL-12-encapsulated microspheres (IL-12EM) could dramatically increase not only antibody responses, but also antigen-specific $CD4^+\;and\;CD8^+$ T cell responses. Enhanced immune responses were shown to be correlated with protective immunity against influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) virus challenge. Interestingly, the enhancement of $CD8^+$ T cell response was not detectable when $CD4^+$ T cell knockout mice were subjected to vaccination, indicating that the enhancement of the $CD8^+$ T cell response by IL-12EM is dependent on $CD4^+$ T cell "help". Conclusion: Thus, IL-12EM could be applied as an adjuvant of protein and peptide vaccines to enhance protective immunity against virus infection.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.269-280
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• 2010

Lilium ${\times}$ formolongi was genetically engineered by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation with the plasmid pCrtZW-N8idi-crtEBIY, which contains seven enzyme genes under the regulation of the CaMV 35S promoter. In the transformants, ketocarotenoids were detected in both calli and leaves, which showed a strong orange color. In transgenic calli, the total amount of carotenoids [133.3 ${\mu}g/g$ fresh weight (FW)] was 26.1-fold higher than in wild-type calli. The chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiency in transgenic orange plantlets were significantly lowered; however, after several months of subculture, they had turned into plantlets with green leaves that showed significant increases in chlorophyll and photosynthetic efficiency. The total carotenoid contents in leaves of transgenic orange and green plantlets were quantified at 102.9 and 135.2 ${\mu}g/g$ FW, respectively, corresponding to 5.6- and 7.4-fold increases over the levels in the wild-type. Ketocarotenoids such as echinenone, canthaxanthin, 3'-hydroxyechinenone, 3-hydroxyechinenone, and astaxanthin were detected in both transgenic calli and orange leaves. A significant change in the type and composition of ketocarotenoids was observed during the transition from orange transgenic plantlets to green plantlets. Although 3'-hydroxyechinenone, 3-hydroxyechinenone, astaxanthin, and adonirubin were absent, and echinenone and canthaxanthin were present at lower levels, interestingly, the upregulation of carotenoid biosynthesis led to an increase in the total carotenoid concentration (+31.4%) in leaves of the transgenic green plantlets.