• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.349-357
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• 2007

Reports of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs), and personal care products (PCPs) have raised substantial concern in important potable drinking water quality issues. Our study investigates the removal of EDCs, PhACs, and PCPs of 10 compounds having different physico-chemical properties (e.g., molecular weight, and octanol-water partition coefficient ($K_{OW}$)) by nanofiltration (NF) membranes. The rejection of micropollutants by NF membranes ranged from 93.9% to 99.9% depending on solute characteristics. A batch adsorption experiments indicated that adsorption is an important mechanism for transport/removal of relatively hydrophobic compounds, and is related to the octanol-water partition coefficient values. The transport phenomenon associated with adsorption may also depend on solution water chemistry such as pH and ionic strength influencing the pKa value of compounds. In addition, it was visually seen that the retention was somewhat higher for the larger compounds based on their molecular weight. These results suggest that the NF membrane retains many organic compounds due to both hydrophobic adsorption and size exclusion mechanisms.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.25-53
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• 2022

In this study, trends in research methods and topics of seabird and marine fish migration were examined. Based on the framework of existing animal migration studies, future research directions were proposed in relation to the migration of seabirds and fish. In terms of research methodology, with the development of science and technology, tracking techniques using radio telemetry, acoustic telemetry, RFID (radio-frequency identification), satellite tracking, and geolocators are widely used to study seabird and fish migration. Research is also conducted indirectly through a population survey and the analysis of substances in the body. Research contents are largely classified into extrinsic factors that affect migration(such as environmental variables and interspecific competition), intrinsic factors such as hormones, anthropogenic activities including fishery and offshore wind farm, and the effect of global climate change. In future studies, physiological factors that influence or cause migration and dispersal should be identified concerning intrinsic factors. For the analysis of migration ability, it is necessary to study effects of changes in the magnetic field on the migration ability of seabirds and fish, interspecific differences in spatiotemporal migration ability, and factors that influence the migration success rate. Regarding extrinsic factors, research studies on effects of anthropogenic disturbances such as fishery and offshore wind farm and global climate change on the migration and dispersal patterns of marine animals are needed. Finally, integrated studies on the migration of seabirds and fish directly or indirectly affecting each other in various ecological aspects are required.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.183-190
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• 2008

PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonate) and PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid) are environmental hormones which belong to potential future persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and it is easy to exposure to human because they are used in a wide variety of consumer products. We studied exposure route and the relativity through determining and monitoring of PFOS and PFOA in Korean plasma of metropolis, small town, rural area and industrial area. And we monitored the concentration of PFOS and PFOA regarding the gender and age. The older age is, the higher concentration of PFOS is. The mean concentration of PFOS and PFOA in men (4.74 ng/mL, 2.20 ng/mL) was higher than that in women (3.53 ng/mL, 1.17 ng/mL). In the comparison of residential areas, the mean concentration of PFOS and PFOA was the lowest in metropolitan plasma (2.47 ng/mL, 0.79 ng/mL) whereas it was the highest in the industrial area (6.57 ng/mL, 2.19 ng/mL).

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.265-272
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• 1999

A simultaneous profile analysis of 19 environmental estrogens, which act like estrogen and may effect the endocrine system by binding to hormone receptors or influencing cell signaling pathways, was attempted. The present method was based on the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). It involves solid-liquid extraction, enzyme hydrolysis, liquid-liquid extraction and quantitative conversion into trimethylsilyl (TMS)-ether derivatives. Analytical recovery range was 47.6 ~ 99.5% and the RSD values of within-a-day and day-to-day test were 0.66 ~ 9.33%, 1.66 ~ 16.14%, respectively. The Korean reference values for the evaluation of environmental estrogen effects were established by this method.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.95-100
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• 2000

A large number of man-made chemicals that have been released into the environment have the potential to disrupt the endocrine system of animals and humans. There is a critical developmental period during which sexual brain differentiation proceeds irreversibly under the influence of gonadal hormone. Recently we identified KAP3 gene expressed during the critical period of rat brain sexual differentiation. KAP3 functions as a microtubule-based motor that transports membranous organelles anterogradely in cells, including neurons. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of endocrine disrupter, Dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT), on the KAP3 gene expression during critical period of rat brain development. Maternal exposure to DDT increased the level of KAP3 mRNA in male and female fetus brains when examined on the gestational day 17 (GDl7). In postnatal day 6, DDT suppressed the expression of KAP3 gene in male and female rat brain. Also, the body weight and fertilization rate were decreased in the DDT exposured rats. These results showed that endocrine disrupter, DDT, can affect the transcriptional level of brain sexual differentiation related gene, KAP3, in the prenatal and the neonatal rat brain and that maternal exposure to endocrine disruptors may lead to a toxic response in embryonic differentiation of brain. And so KAP3 gene may be used a gene maker to analyse the molecular mechanism for toxic response in animal nerve tissues exposed to endocrine disruptors.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.999-1007
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• 2009

We investigated consumer perception of and concern for food safety. The subjects of this study were 275 urban housewives aged more than 20years. The results showed that vegetables and fruit showed the highest purchase frequency of 29.2%, and meat was the highest with 17.2% in the food which feel concerned about safety. Respondents observed that 'domestic food was safer than imported food' (3.92 on a 5 point scale) and 'I always feel concerned about food safety' (3.37). The study also showed that respondents were aware of environmental hormones (3.57), natural toxins (3.51), mad cow disease (3.48), and avian influenza (3.43), in that order. Finally, respondents were deeply concerned about mad cow disease (4.43), heavy metals in food (4.05), environmental hormones (4.02), food poisoning bacteria (3.96), avian influenza (3.87), agrichemical residues (3.86), and food additives (3.84), in that order.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.224-231
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• 2002

Photoperiod (length of light per day) is a major factor in regulating reproductive function in golden hamsters. The information of photoperiod is transmitted to the reproductive endocrine system by melatonin. Thus the effects of melatonin aye investigated in male golden hamsters exposed to photoperiods. Paired testicular weights were markedly reduced in the animals housed in short photoperiod $(SP,\le{12\;hours\;day^{-1})$ and injected with melatonin in the evening, but not in long photoperiod $(LP,\le{12.5}\;hours\;day^{-1})$ and injected with melatonin in the morning. The histological examination of regressed testes showed reduction of tubular lumen diameter including the numbers of cells and Leydig cell number. The mean values of both follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were also lowered in the sexually inactive animals than in the sexually active animals. Melatonin receptor was identified by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and its expression was examined in various tissues to scrutinize the action site of melatonin. It turned out 309 nucleotides and was definitely expressed in hypothalamus and pituitary including spleen, retina, and epididymis. And gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) gene, which is a key element in regulating reproduction, was identified by RT-PCR but the expression of GnRH was not modified by the treatment of melatonin. Taken together, photoperiod via melatonin indirectly affects reproductive endocrine system, possibly through the release of GnRH, not the synthesis of GnRH.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2011

Nonylphenols are toxic compounds classified as endocrine disruptors. We investigated the nonylphenols clean-up procedures for the contamination control in the quantitative analysis. In this research we analyzed the residual nonylphenols in the solvent and the SPE cartridges. First, at the analysis of HPLC grade solvents (n-hexane, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate and its mixture), diethyl ether was confirmed the residue as 0.963 ${\mu}g/mL$, and we eliminated the contaminant through the distillation with $CaH_2$, Second, at the analysis of SPE cartridges (silica gel and Florisil), all products were showed the residue at 0.046~13.0 ${\mu}g/mL$, but unfortunately the residue in the cartridge were not easily removed with referenced methods in all tested SPE cartridges except in silica gel SPE cartridge with glass ware.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.352-357
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• 2019

In this study, we investigated the limit temperature range which is effective for dormancy release of 'Hongro' and 'Fuji' apples during the endodormancy period. The germination rate was 50% or more in all treatments except of 'Hongro' $-5^{\circ}C$ treatment. The germination rate of 'Fuji' was 86.3% at the temperature of $-5^{\circ}C$. The concentrations of carbohydrate and mineral components were significantly different between treatments but did not show any tendency or specific change. However, the sorbitol contents of 'Hongro' $-5^{\circ}C$ treatment were higher at 29.62 mg/g than those of 'Fuji', which was not affected for dormancy release. The results of hormone analysis showed that ABA(abscisic acid) and JA(jasmonic acid) in 'Hongro' $-5^{\circ}C$ treatment were respectively 176.48 and 15.72 ng/g. ABA, JA and SA(salicylic acid) contents in 'Fuji' apple tree were significantly lower than those of 'Hongro'. As a result of this study, the limit temperature range effective for dormancy release was different according to the varieties, and 'Hongro' did not affect with 30.3% of germination rate at $-5^{\circ}C$. However, 'Fuji' is 86.3% even at $-5^{\circ}C$ it was suggested that 'Fuji' had a chilling accumulation for dormancy release.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.3 s.104
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• pp.369-374
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• 2003

Nonylphenol (NP), an well known aquatic contaminant, has been known to induce abnormalities in various aquatic animals. In an effort to develop proteome in the study of aquatic contamination of NP and its impact on the amphibia, protein changes in liver tissues of Korean red bellied frog, Bombina orientalis was investigated following the NP exposure. NP was administered intraperitoneally to male B. orientalis at 10 mg/kg body weight. At 48 and 96h after the treatment, the frog livers were sampled, and the protein fraction was separated using two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D/E) and visualized with Coomassie brilluant blue staining. The 2D/E Images of the tissue from the animals treated with NP showed marked changes of protein spots (about 20% of total protein spots). Analysis of the 50-60 separated spots allowed identification of the major protein changes in the overall pattern for the stressor (NP) by time (0,48 and 96 h). At 48h after treatment, 8 spots were increased and 12 spots were reduced. Then, at 96h after treatment, 10 spots were increased and 8 spots were reduced. In total, approximately 29% of liver proteins showed the altered expression following the NP treatment. It is suggested that protein expression was repressed by blocking of certain metabolisms at 48 hand induced by the synthesis of new proteins for adaptation at 96 h following NP exposure. This application for 2D/E analysis may show promise in searching biomarkers for environmental proteomics in amphibians.