• 제목/요약/키워드: Biological impacts

검색결과 207건 처리시간 0.025초

Unexpected Estrogenicity of Endocrine Disruptors may Evoke a Failure of Pregnancy Derived from Uterine Function: Overview of Their Possible Mechanism(s) through Steroid Receptors

  • Dang, V.H.;Nguyen, T.H.;Choi, K.C.;Jeung, E.B.
    • 한국수정란이식학회지
    • /
    • 제22권4호
    • /
    • pp.199-208
    • /
    • 2007
  • Although many studies have focused on the biological and toxicological effects of phenol products, in particular, in reproductive tracts, the data about their effects in this estrogenic responsive tissue are much less clear. In addition, the in vitro and in vivo data concerning ED-adverse impacts in other endocrine organs, i.e. pituitary gland, are not understood well either. Thus, a further study is needed for providing a new insight into possible impacts of estrogenic EDs including phenol products in humans and wildlife. A combination of in vitro and in vivo system for examining EDs may bring better understanding into the regulatory mechanisms underlying EDs-induced events. In addition, this information may support for developing optimal screening methods of estrogenic EDs, in particular, phenol products.

The exceptionally large genome of the harmful red tide dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides Margalef (Dinophyceae): determination by flow cytometry

  • Hong, Hyun-Hee;Lee, Hyun-Gwan;Jo, Jihoon;Kim, Hye Mi;Kim, Su-Man;Park, Jae Yeon;Jeon, Chang Bum;Kang, Hyung-Sik;Park, Myung Gil;Park, Chungoo;Kim, Kwang Young
    • ALGAE
    • /
    • 제31권4호
    • /
    • pp.373-378
    • /
    • 2016
  • Cochlodinium polykrikoides is a red-tide forming dinoflagellate that causes significant worldwide impacts on aquaculture industries and the marine ecosystem. There have been extensive studies on managing and preventing C. polykrikoides blooms, but it has been difficult to identify an effective method to control the bloom development. There is also limited genome information on the molecular mechanisms involved in its various ecophysiology and metabolism processes. Thus, comprehensive genome information is required to better understand harmful algal blooms caused by C. polykrikoides. We estimated the C. polykrikoides genome size using flow cytometry, with detection of the fluorescence of DNA stained with propidium iodide (PI). The nuclear genome size of C. polykrikoides was 100.97 Gb, as calculated by comparing its mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) to the MFI of Mus musculus, which is 2.8 Gb. The exceptionally large genome size of C. polykrikoides might indicate its complex physiological and metabolic characteristics. Our optimized protocol for estimating the nuclear genome size of a dinoflagellate using flow cytometry with PI can be applied in studies of other marine organisms.

환경성 평가를 위한 폐플라스틱 재활용 방법들의 비교 (Comparison of Waste-Plastic Recycling Methods for Environmental Assessment)

  • 박찬혁;최석순
    • 유기물자원화
    • /
    • 제14권2호
    • /
    • pp.101-111
    • /
    • 2006
  • 본 연구에서는 폐플라스틱의 재활용방법 (물질재활용, Refused Derived Fuel(RDF), 고로원료화 및 유화)에 대한 환경 영향을 분석하기 위하여 전과정평가(LCA)가 수행되었다. 이 연구에서는 6가지 환경영향 범주를 사용하였다. 폐플라스틱의 재활용방법 중 가장 큰 영향을 미치는 범주는 지구온난화로 나타났으며, 나머지들의 영향은 미비한 것으로 나타났다. 지구온난화의 영향을 살펴보면 물질재활용, RDF화 및 고로원료화에 대해서는 환경성이 음(-)의 값으로 나타났으며, 이러한 현상은 신재 플라스틱의 대체재로 사용함으로써 환경부하 삭감효과가 크기 때문인 것으로 밝혀졌다. 그러나, 유화는 양(+)의 값으로 나타나 환경부하가 증가하는 것으로 나타났으며, 이것은 사용량이 많은 전력의 생산과정에서 발생하는 $CO_2$가 주원인으로 밝혀졌다. 오존층파괴에 대한 영향은 유화방법이 환경부하가 크게 나타났으며, 이러한 현상은 유화 공정자체에서 발생되는 오존층파괴 물질에 의한 영향으로 판단되었다. 본 연구 결과들은 폐플라스틱 재활용을 향상시키는데 유용한 자료로 활용될 수 있음을 보여주었다.

  • PDF

Characterization of Forest Fire Emissions and Their Possible Toxicological Impacts on Human Health

  • Kibet, Joshua;Bosire, Josephate;Kinyanjui, Thomas;Lang'at, Moses;Rono, Nicholas
    • Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
    • /
    • 제33권2호
    • /
    • pp.113-121
    • /
    • 2017
  • In flight particulate matter particularly emissions generated by incomplete combustion processes has become a subject of global concern due to the health problems and environmental impacts associated with them. This has compelled most countries to set standards for coarse and fine particles due to their conspicuous impacts on environment and public health. This contribution therefore explores forest fire emissions and how its particulates affects air quality, damage to vegetation, water bodies and biological functions as architects for lung diseases and other degenerative illnesses such as oxidative stress and aging. Soot was collected from simulated forest fire using a clean glass surface and carefully transferred into amber vials for analysis. Volatile components of soot were collected over 10 mL dichloromethane and analyzed using a QTOF Premier-Water Corp Liquid Chromatography hyphenated to a mass selective detector (MSD), and Gas Chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). To characterize the size and surface morphology of soot, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used. The characterization of molecular volatiles from simulated forest fire emissions revealed long chain compounds including octadec-9-enoic acid, octadec-6-enoic acid, cyclotetracosane, cyclotetradecane, and a few aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene and naphthalene). Special classes of organics (dibenzo-p-dioxin and 2H-benzopyran) were also detected as minor products. Dibenzo-p-dioxin for instance in chlorinated form is one of the deadliest environmental organic toxins. The average particulate size of emissions using SEM was found to be $11.51{\pm}4.91{\mu}m$. This study has shown that most of the emissions from simulated forest fire fall within $PM_{10}$ particulate size. The molecular by-products of forest fire and particulate emissions may be toxic to both human and natural ecosystems, and are possible precursors for various respiratory ailments and cancers. The burning of a forest by natural disasters or man-made fires results in the destruction of natural habitats and serious air pollution.

석회석 폐광산 지역을 활용한 골프코스 건설 -오스타 단양 골프코스의 사례연구- (Golf Course Construction at an Abandoned Lime Mine - Case Study of the Ostar Danyang Golf Course -)

  • 이광재;박태윤;주영규
    • 아시안잔디학회지
    • /
    • 제24권2호
    • /
    • pp.218-224
    • /
    • 2010
  • 본 연구 목표는 우리나라의 석회석 광산의 채광으로 인한 훼손지의 활용방안으로 골프코스를 건설함에 따른 환경적, 사회적 영향을 분석하는데 있다. 단양오스타 대중골프코스로 개발되기 전 장기간의 노천식 채광은 대상지역을 지형적으로나, 생태적으로 파괴하여 방치되고 있었다. 따라서 본 연구는 골프코스 건설을 통한 환경복원 과정을 고찰하는데 핵심을 두었는데 먼저 일본과 캐나다의 석회석 탄광의 골프코스 건설 절차에 대한 문헌 사례를 조사하였다. 공사 전후의 인문사회적 및 환경에 대한 변화를 고찰한 결과, 폐광산 상태에서 보다 지형적, 동식물 상, 수질의 변화는 영향이 없거나 현저히 개선되었다. 인문 사회적 변화의 경우, 지역경제가 개선되었으며 이는 주변지역주민에 대한 고용창출과 지방세 납부에 다른 결과였다고 판단된다. 따라서 이같은 폐석회석 광산에의 골프코스 건설은 전형적인 하나의 대안이 될 수 있을 것이다. 본 연구에서는 또한 이같은 대형 개발공사가 주변 생태계에 미치는 영향이 최소화 되도록 고려하였고, 자연과 인위적인 경관을 위한 조화로운 개발계획을 수립하였다.

A floristic study of Donggeom-do (Isl.), Ganghwa-gun, Korea

  • Kim, Sun-Yu;Lee, Byoung Yoon;Kim, Jung-Hyun
    • Journal of Species Research
    • /
    • 제2권2호
    • /
    • pp.203-222
    • /
    • 2013
  • The district of Ganghwa-gun in the western coast (Seohae) of the Korea is consisted of several islands, Ganghwa-do, Seokmo-do, Gyodong-do, Jumun-do, Boreum-do, Seogeom-do and Donggeom-do. Since several islands of them were connected to mainland of Korea by bridges, the islands attract a lot of tourists from Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi-do areas. Construction of new roads, pensions, resort areas and restaurants provided economical benefits to local residents while natural vegetation of these islands has deteriorated continuously. Before biodiversity of vascular plants in these regions is damaged seriously by human impacts, it is needed to conserve original vegetation of the islands for restoration and monitoring in the future. Therefore, the primary purpose of the study is to clarify the flora of Donggeom-do, belonging to Ganghwa-gun. From the 15 times of field trips to the island, we have collected a number of vascular plants, 512 taxa in total, including 110 families, 329 genera, 449 species, six subspecies, 52 varieties, four forms and one hybrid. Of 512 taxa investigated, we have identified 12 taxa to be endemic to Korea. Six taxa were endangered or rare species which were designated by the Ministry of Environment and Korea Forest Service, respectively. 25 taxa were recognized as floristic regional indicator species designated specially by the Ministry of Environment. Seven species have shown their northern or southern distributional limit ranges, and 29 taxa were recognized as halophytes. The naturalized plants were identified as 55 taxa, and their naturalization ratio was 10.7%.

Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway Is Necessary for the Specification but Not the Maintenance of the Mouse Retinal Pigment Epithelium

  • Jong-Myeong Kim;Kwang Wook Min;You-Joung Kim;Ron Smits;Konrad Basler;Jin Woo Kim
    • Molecules and Cells
    • /
    • 제46권7호
    • /
    • pp.441-450
    • /
    • 2023
  • β-Catenin (Ctnnb1) has been shown to play critical roles in the development and maintenance of epithelial cells, including the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Ctnnb1 is not only a component of intercellular junctions in the epithelium, it also functions as a transcriptional regulator in the Wnt signaling pathway. To identify which of its functional modalities is critically involved in mouse RPE development and maintenance, we varied Ctnnb1 gene content and activity in mouse RPE lineage cells and tested their impacts on mouse eye development. We found that a Ctnnb1 double mutant (Ctnnb1dm), which exhibits impaired transcriptional activity, could not replace Ctnnb1 in the RPE, whereas Ctnnb1Y654E, which has reduced affinity for the junctions, could do so. Expression of the constitutively active Ctnnb1∆ex3 mutant also suppressed the development of RPE, instead facilitating a ciliary cell fate. However, the post-mitotic or mature RPE was insensitive to the loss, inactivation, or constitutive activation of Ctnnb1. Collectively, our results suggest that Ctnnb1 should be maintained within an optimal range to specify RPE through transcriptional regulation of Wnt target genes in the optic neuroepithelium.

Impacts of Photoperiod and Maternal Pineal Gland on Pre- and Post-natal development of Indian palm Squirrel F. pennanti

  • Haldar, C.;Bishnupuri, K.S.
    • Journal of Photoscience
    • /
    • 제9권2호
    • /
    • pp.29-32
    • /
    • 2002
  • Studies till date suggest the existence of a fetal biological clock in suprachiasmatic nuclei entrained by the circadian signal from mother. Melatonin from maternal pineal gland reaches to the fetus by crossing every biological barrier including placenta, hence fetuses were exposed to similar melatonin variation as their mother. Experimental modulations of maternal pineal gland activity of pregnant females either by exposing the them to different photoperiodic schedules or by exogenous melatonin treatments till the date of parturition, regulated the fetal plasma level of melatonin, thereby the prenatal (fetal) growth and development. This clearly suggests the maternal transport of melatonin to their fetus through placenta since fetal retina-hypothalamic tract was incomplete. An extension of experimental schedules till 60 days of post-partum period regulated the neonatal pineal gland activity and gonadal maturation along with their plasma levels of melatonin and sex steroids suggesting clearly the phenomenon of maternal transfer of melatonin to their young ones during the post-natal period, when the neonates were solely dependent on the mother's milk for their nutrition and energetic demands. On the basis of above observations we may suggest that the maternal pineal gland activity regulate the prenatal development by passing its melatonin to fetus via placenta and post-natal growth and sexual maturation by passing maternal melatonin to neonates via milk. Hence, the photoperiod perceived by mother is translated into the maternal plasma level of melatonin which not only regulates the prenatal but also the post-natal growth and sexual maturation of neonates.

  • PDF

신생아 중환자실 미숙아에게 엄마목소리 제공이 미숙아의 체중과 생리적 반응에 미치는 효과 (The Effect of Recorded Mother's Voice on the Body Weight and Physiological Reactions of the Premature Infants)

  • 강인순;김영희
    • Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
    • /
    • 제13권2호
    • /
    • pp.94-101
    • /
    • 2011
  • Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine effects of Recorded Mother's Voice on weight and physiological reactions to the premature infants. Methods: This study was conducted on the nonequivalent control group pre-posttest quasi-experimental design and the subject group was the premature infants who were admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Pusan National University Hospital. Total 50 infants, divided into two groups 25 experimental and control were participated in the study. The data were analyzed using frequency, %, chi-square test, t-test between the two groups. Results: The results of this study were as followingsfollowings; In the physical response(heart rate, respiration rate, pulse oximetry saturation), there were significant statistical difference between two groups. Conclusion: In short, it turned out that the intervention of the recorded mother's voice had some significance as nursing intervention with positive impacts. Such as improving infant's growth and stablizing their physical response. By providing the effectiveness of such intervention, the study will further provide the evidence-based information in developing the practice of pediatric nursing.

인공보의 어류생태영향 평가를 위한 Echo-sounder 모니터링 기법 적용 (Application of Echo-Sounder Monitoring Technique as Ecological Impact Assessments of Fish on Artificial Weir Construction)

  • 한정호;이재훈;최지웅;임병진;박종환;안광국
    • 환경영향평가
    • /
    • 제21권6호
    • /
    • pp.859-877
    • /
    • 2012
  • In this study, Echo-sounder($E_s$) monitoring methodology was applied to test environmental impacts of artificial weirs(SCW and JSW) in the Yeongsan River on fish community and habitat structures at first time, and was compared with conventional fish sampling methodologies($C_s$). For the Es monitoring in the fields, parallel transect methods was employed in determining the survey distance interval with every 125 m within the upper-lower 2 km of the weirs. Four different fish sampling gears such as casting nets, kick nets, fyke nets, and gill nets were used for applications of $C_s$ monitoring methodology. According to the Echo-sounder monitoring, fish density, expressed as a number of individuals per square meter, along the longitudinal axis of the weir was significantly greater(JSW, t = 3.506, n = 30, p < 0.001) in the down-river reach of the weir than in the up-river reach. Also, fish density along the vertical water column was highest at mid-depths of Seungchon weir, which has simple habitat substrates, while fish density was highest at hypolimnetic depth of Juksan weir. According to fish sampling by the $C_s$ methodology, the fish compositions decreased as the river goes upward, and significant differences(JSW, t = 0.248, n = 30, p < 0.05) in the compositions of fish species occurred between up-reach and down-reach of the weirs. The dominant species near the two weirs were Opsarichthys uncirostris amurensis, Hemiculter eigenmanni and Coilia nasus. Overall, our fish and habitat data, based on $E_s$ and $C_s$ monitoring methodologies, suggest that the weirs disturbed the rivers due to initial habitat disturbances by the weir constructions as well as the barrier roles of weirs on fish passage and migrations. More long-term scientific and systematic fish impact monitoring and assessments($E_s$ and $C_s$) are required in the future to predict changes of ecological structures and functions on the constructions of the weirs.