• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.28 no.7
• /
• pp.776-781
• /
• 2006

Perchlorate ion($ClO_4^-$), which is present in the solid propellant for rocket, herbicide and some fertilizers. Perchlorate inhibits iodide uptake by the human thyroid gland. Impairment of thyroid function in expectant mothers may impact the fetus and result in effects including cerebral palsy, give rise to thyroid gland cancer. The US EPA(Environmental Protection Agency) adopted a reference dose(RfD) for perchlorate 0.0007 mg/kg-day, and this guidance lead to a Drinking Water Equivalent Level(DWEL) of 24.5 ${\mu}g/L$. The studies about perchlorate are actively performed in foreign countries, especially in USA but there is no study which surveyed the perchlorate contamination in Korea. Therefore, this study was done to investigate perchlorate contamination in Nak-dong river and tap water. The perchlorate was detected in Nakdong river and ranged from ND to 278.4 ${\mu}g/L$. The highest concentration was observed in Kumichon. The perchlorate concentration was decreased with the down stream of Nakdong river. The perchlorate concentration in tap water was varied with the cities and the concentration levels were $ND{\sim}34.1$ ppb. The highest perchlorate concentration was observed in DalsuGoo in Daegu and the similar concentration($9{\sim}11$ ${\mu}g/L$) was detected in most of the districts in Busan. The result of this study suggests that there is a perchlorate source near the Nakdong river and the urgent policy is needed to control perchlorate for the cities which are supplied from Nakdong river as for their tap water.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.31 no.11
• /
• pp.1037-1045
• /
• 2021

The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, and since obesity is associated with dietary factors and sedentary lifestyles, it is a disease that is readily developing in the modern population. Because obesity is accompanied by serious complications such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, prevention and treatment are important. Currently, drugs such as liraglutide and phentermine are used to treat obesity by suppressing appetite and inducing gastrointestinal motility delay. However, various side effects may occur, including thyroid cancer, cardiovascular problems, and central nervous system disorders. Therefore, to explore an obesity treatment method with relatively few side effects, a method known as "fat browning" was introduced to change white adipose tissue into brown adipose tissue to increase energy consumption. Ongoing studies are attempting to find effective natural substances to safely induce browning. Many natural substances have been identified. The induction of browning by treatment with natural substances generally involves three mechanisms: positive control of browning-inducing factors, inhibition of differentiation into white adipose tissue, and the activation of mechanisms related to browning. In this study, we describe plant extracts with known browning-inducing effects, such as strawberry, black raspberry, cinnamomum cassia, and Ecklonia stolonifera extracts. We also summarize the underlying mechanisms of action identified thus far, including the signaling pathway mediated by these extracts to induce browning. Furthermore, the effects of brown adipose tissue generated through browning on heart disease as an endocrine organ disruptor are discussed.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.55 no.4
• /
• pp.430-440
• /
• 2022

Selenium is an important trace mineral that plays an essential role in maintaining the body's immunity with oxidative stress defense and antioxidant activity, immunity, thyroid hormone control, defense against drug or heavy metal harm, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. A selenium deficiency increases the risk of various chronic diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological disease, osteoarthritis, muscle necrosis and weakness, thyroid disease, and inflammatory diseases. This paper explains the criteria for establishing and revising selenium in the 2020 Dietary Reference Intake for Koreans (KDRIs) and reviews the current status of the selenium database and suggestions for setting the 2025 KDRIs in the future. In the 2020 KDRIs, the selenium intake with the maximum plasma selenoprotein P level was used as the criteria. The weight and coefficient of the variation were applied to the Chinese' reported values. Compared to 2015 KDRIs, there were some revisions in the selenium dietary reference intakes by gender and age according to the change in reference weight. To improve and revise selenium dietary reference intakes in the future, a selenium intervention study is needed to determine the maximum level of plasma selenoprotein P in Koreans. In addition, a revision of the selenium database of the nutritional assessment program (CAN-Pro 5.0) is needed. An analysis of the selenium content of foods should be expanded to assess the selenium intake accurately. In addition, research on the relationship between selenium intake and the biological indicators in the body is required for healthy people and subjects of special environments, such as patients and athletes with various oxidative stress.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.325-332
• /
• 2002

Purpose: Human Na+/I- symporter (hNIS) is known to be expressed in many tissues other than thyroid gland. The breast cancer cells are one of them and the possibility of radioiodine therapy in treatment of the breast cancer may be suggested. We investigated the expression rate of hNIS and the relationship between the expression of hNIS and the finding of 99mTc-MIBI scintimammographv in the breast cancer Materials and Methods: Surgically proved 56 patients with breast cancer were the subjects of this study The expression of hNIS were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and the results were compared to the findings of 99m7c-MIBI scintimammography. Results: Overall expression rate of hNIS was 41.1% in 56 patients. According to the pathologic diagnosis, it was 42.9% in 49 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma and 28.6% in the 7 patients with ductal carcinoma in situ. The expression rate of hNIS in the 41 cases with a focal increased uptake at he breast lesion on 99m7c-MIBI sointimammogram was 31.7%. That in the 15 cases without any abnormal uptake on the scan was significantly higher(65.7%, p<0.05). Conclusion: The expression rate of hNIS in the patients with breast cancer was not so high. The rate was higher in the patients with no increased uptake at the breast lesion on 99m7c-MIBI scintimammography.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.21-36
• /
• 2017

Phthalates, known as typical endocrine disruptors, are plasticizers used to soften plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Because of their material properties, phthalates are used extensively in the production of toys, flooring, wood processing, detergents, and even cosmetics as lubricants and perfume solvents. Due to their endocrine disrupting effect and other adverse health effects published, recently, phthalates have been regulated in many countries. Besides, in an effort to replace phthalates, several chemical plasticizers such as trioctyltrimellitate (TOTM) and dioctylterephthalate (DIOP) have been used instead of the existing harmful phthalates, and novel alternatives are continuously being developed. Nonetheless, phthalates are still being detected in several plastic products, and the safety of alternatives that are considered safe is being questioned. In this review, we describe the adverse health effects of phthalates, their regulation and the current status of their alternatives.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.58-63
• /
• 2000

Objectives: To demonstrate effective diagnostic method and proper management of recurrent thyroid cancer through to compare treatment and surveillance of $I^{131}$ scanning detected recurrence and clinically detected recurrence. Material and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical information about 46 patients who has recurrent thyroid cancer of 298 patients who have been primarily operated due to thyroid cancer in PMC at the over 10 years between 1986 and 1995. We examine incidence of recurrence due to pathologic types, site of recurrence, disease free interval, detection method of recurrence, and also treatment and progression of recurrence. A patients in which the clinical examination was entirely negative and the $I^{131}$ scan demonstrated either a new area of $I^{131}$ uptake or an increased area of concentration, compared to the previous scan, was designated as a recurrence detected by $I^{131}$ scan only. Recurrences that were obviously by physical examination or chest x-ray, etc were considered clinically detected recurrence, regardless of the the results of the thyroid scan. Results: Mean of disease tree interval(DFI) is 36months. When mean DFI of $I^{131}$ scan detected recurrence is 28months, whereas mean DFI of clinically detected recurrence is 47months. In statiscal analysis, p-value is 0.043 as significantly. In progression of recurrent patient, NED is 28case, AWD is Sease, DOD is 13case. Among the 13case, scan detected recurrence is lease of 20 patients(5%), whereas clinically detected recurrence is l2case of 26 patient(46%). In statiscal analysis, p-value is 0.003 as significantly. Conclusion: Early detection of the recurrent thyroid cancer by $I^{131}$ scanning leads to good progress compare with detection by clinical examination. NED: No Evidence of Disease AWD : Alive With Disease DOD : Dead Of Disease DOC: Dead of Other Cause

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.117-124
• /
• 2001

Serum thyroglobulin measurement and I-131 whole-body scintigraphy (WBS) are well-established methods for the detection of recurrence in the follow-up of patients with thyroid carcinoma. However, inconsistent results are observed frequently, and these two methods are not always able to detect recurrence. In some patients, serum thyroglobulin level is elevated but the WBS is negative, because the recurrent tumor is too small and below the sensitivity of the diagnostic scan, or there is a dissociation between thyroglobulin synthesis and the iodine frapping mechanism. In such cases, various nuclear imaging methods including Tl-201 Tc-99m-sestamibi, and F-18-FDG PET can be used besides anatomical imaging methods. Among them, FDG PET localizes recurrent lesions in WBS-negative thyroid carcinoma with high accuracy. Several studies have suggested that empirical high-dose I-131 therapy resulted in a high rate of visualization in post-therapy scans with evidence of subsequent improvement. An important question is when to operate on patients with recurrent tumor. We believe that surgical removal is the best means of treatment for patients with localized persistent tumor, despite the high-dose I-131 therapy. with tumor in thyroid remnant, and with isolated recurrence in the lymph node, lung or bone. In addition, we recommend palliative resection of locally unresectable mass with subsequent treatment with high-dose I-131 therapy. Before I-131 therapy, the evaluation of sodium-iodide symporter expression in thyroid carcinoma can predict iodine uptake. Retinoic acid is known to induce redifferentiation, and to enhance I-131 uptake in thyroid carcinoma. Retinoic acid therapy may represent an alternative approach before high-dose I-131 therapy.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.32-42
• /
• 1996

This study was desinged to evaluate the effect of radioactive iodine-131 therapy in differentiated thyroid carcinoma treated at the Presbyterian Medical Center, Chonju during the 20-year period from 1975 to 1994. The authors reviewed 246 patients who received radioactive iodine-131. An analysis of the therapeutic response and survival rates of the 246 patients has been carried out. The male to female ratio was 1 : 3.6. The peak incidence was in the 4th and 6th decades. The histologic findings in the 246 patients were papillary adenocarcinoma in 200 cases, follicular adenocarcinoma in 29 cases, mixed type in 14 cases, and others in 3 cases. Combined treatment modalities of 246 patients consisted of sugery and radioiodine in 222 cases, surgery with radioiodine and external irradiation in 11 cases, and surgery with radioiodine, external irradiation and chemotherapy in 5 cases. 42 of the 246 cases showed recurrence and the commonest type of combined treatment for recurrent case was surgery followed by radioiodine-131. The highest accumulated total dosage of radioiodine-131 was 480mCi in that case femoral metastasis was noticed. The most common locoregional metastatic site was ipsilateral cervical node, and neighbouring muscle, vessel, trachea, recurrent layngeal nerve, in order of frequency. The determinate 10-year survival rate was 91.8% in the group receiving surgery followed by radioiodine-13l and 71.4% in patients receiving surgery, radioiodine-13l with XRT. The determinate 10-year survival rate was better for patients under 40 years of age who received radioiodine as compared to patients over 40 year of age(85.7% vs. 33.3%). The most usual primary therapeutic dosage in the group of cervical lesion was 90$\sim$120mCi after surgery.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.123-127
• /
• 2004

Objectives: The tall cell variant is an uncommon variant and has been known as more aggressive form of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Owing to the rarity of these thyroid cancers, their clinical behavior remains incompletely understood. To elucidate the clinicopathologic characteristics of tall cell variant, we retrospectively reviewed our surgical experience of patients with tall cell variant. Methods: Between August 1993 and July 2004, a total of 11 consecutive patients who were pathologically diagnosed with tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent total (8 cases) or subtotal thyroidectomy (3 cases) with central compartment node dissections. The lateral neck dissection was added in 6 patients. After the operation, neck ultrasound and serum thyroglobulin were checked regularly during the follow-up period. Results: The mean age of the patients was 56.6years (range, 30-74years) at the time of diagnosis. 3 patients were men, and 8 were women. The mean diameter of tumor was 3.7cm(range, 1.5-6.0cm), and 6 patients had lateral neck node metastasis. Extrathyroidal extension was seen in 5 patients (45%). Loco-regional recurrence was found in 2 patients (18%), and distant metastasis in 1 patient (9%). The 5-year disease free survival rate was 68%. Conclusion: The tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma is an uncommon disease. Clinicopathologic feature and prognosis of this disease show more aggressive behaviors than ordinary papillary thyroid carcinoma. More aggressive treatment and close follow-up should be undertaken in the tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.66-69
• /
• 1999

Background and Objectives: It is critical to distinguish benign from malignant thyroid nodule and to select a patient for surgery. Even though the U/S study dose not make great contribution to diagnose a malignant thyroid nodule, it is widely used in the evaluation of anatomic feature of thyroid. The authors tried to estimate the efficacy of the U/S study in preoperative diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodule. Materials and Method: At the department of General Surgery of Ajou University, 75 patients who were operated after diagnosis with thyroid nodule by U/S study between July 1996 to June 1997 were retrospectively analyzed. By comparing the U/S impression that implies malignant thyroid nodule to FNAC and post-operative pathologic results ware as follows. Results: 1) Absence of cystic change, presence of internal hypoechogenicity, lobulation, calcification, thick and irregular halo, and nodule more than 4cm in diameter on U/S were considered significant statistically for the diagnosis of malignancy(Chi-square test, p<0.05) 2) Presence of internal hypoechogenicity or thick and irregular halo has the validity in Logistic regression analysis. 3) FNAC was done in 65 case. 19 case were malignant, 11 case were suspicious and 46 patients were benign (sensitivity 52.6%, specificity 87%). 4) The findings of U/S which are hypoechogenic and thick and irregular halo show 82% sensitivity and 97% specificity. In combination with the findings of FNAC that imply benign or suspicious lesions, the sensitivity was 100% and the specificity was 97%. Conclusion: This study suggest that the hypoechogenicity and thick and irregular halo on U/S are important information for the diagnosis of thyroid malignancy which were considered benign or suspicious after FNAC.