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An Improvement on the Analysis Techniques of Environmental Radioactivity Around Nuclear Power Plants (원전주변 환경방사능 분석기술의 개선(I))

  • Kim, Soong-Pyung;Chae, Gyung-Sun;Chung, Woon-Kwan
    • Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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    • v.20 no.1
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    • pp.8-15
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    • 1995
  • An estimate of a change in radioactivity's circumstances around the nuclear power plant is validated with the results of the radioactivity measurements are compared. In this study, to further enhance the reliability of the results obtained from the environmental radioactivity measurements and analysis around the nuclear power plants that have been carried out up to the present. In the korea standard, there is the technical analysis guide for general stable chemical element's, but there is not the technical analysis guide for the radionuclei. therefore the environmental sample collection, the pretreatment of the sample and radionuclide analysis in the sample, the result's of the environmental radioactivity measurements by each organization, etc. are different. It is not sufficient for the database to forecasting a change in radioactivity's circumstances. A comparative study of collection and pretreatment techniques for the soil sample, the results by comparison, the method of minimizing the relative error are proposed. At one side of sample collection, there are going to considered that the surroundings of sample collection like the lay of the land, the provision of the selection standard for the area and pathway of radionuclide adhesion, the coherence of sample collection, etc.. at another side of pretreatment of the sample and measurement in the case of soil sample, how to do homogeneously the soil particle size and the standard tools, i.e. kinds of meshes, must to be selected.

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UV-Vis and ED-XRF Analyses of Natural Black Colored Pearls from Freshwater Cultured Shells (UV-Vis와 ED-XRF를 이용한 자연 색상의 담수 흑 양식진주 분석)

  • Kim, Hea-Yeon;Park, Jong-Wan
    • The Korean Journal of Malacology
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    • v.24 no.3
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    • pp.243-251
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    • 2008
  • Analyses of UV-Vis spectrum and reflectance are useful tools to identify pearls of which color was naturally made or chemically changed. Contents of some trace elements of pearls by using ED-XRF may give us the information that the pearls were originated from marine shells or freshwater shells, and may give us whether the pearls were chemically treated or not. Three types of chemically untreated pearls, freshwater cultured, Akoya cultured and Tahitian cultured, were treated with silver nitrate. UV-Vis absorbance spectrum of Ag was changed after treatment, and reflectance of pearls was decreased. Absorbance of natural black colored Tahitian cultured pearls at 400, 500 and 700 nm was observed. Natural black colored freshwater cultured pearls showed two characteristic absorption patterns in UV-Vis spectra at 380-400, 480-500 nm. Unlike naturally black colored Tahitian cultured pearls, the absorption spectrum at 700 nm could not be found from black freshwater cultured pearls. Manganese was not detected in the pearls from marine shells, and strontium content of the pearls from marine cultured shells was higher than that from freshwater cultured shells. According to ED-XRF analysis, Ag contents of silver nitrate treated pearls increased as more time passed, because silver ion invaded to nacre layer of the pearls. Since Ag content of the black pearls known as untreated ranged under 0.1%, analysis of Ag content may used to distinguish the black pearls are treated or not in marketplace.

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Secretion and Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and 9 from Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells in Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Acute Myeloid Leukemia

  • Chaudhary, Ajay K;Chaudhary, Shruti;Ghosh, Kanjaksha;Shanmukaiah, Chandrakala;Nadkarni, Anita H
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.17 no.3
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    • pp.1519-1529
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    • 2016
  • Background: Matrix metalloproteinase -2 (gelatinase-A, Mr 72,000 type IV collagenase, MMP-2) and -9 (gelatinase-B, Mr 92,000 type IV collagenase, MMP-9) are key molecules that play roles in tumor growth, invasion, tissue remodeling, metastasis and stem-cell regulation by digesting extracellular matrix barriers. MMP-2 and -9 are well known to impact on solid cancer susceptibility, whereas, in hematological malignancies, a paucity of data is available to resolve the function of these regulatory molecules in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) and stromal cells of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate mRNA expression and gelatinase A and B secretion from BM-MNCs in vitro and genotypic associations of MMP-2 (-1306 C/T; rs243865), MMP-9 (-1562 C/T; rs3918242), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase -1 (TIMP-1) (372T/C; rs4898, Exon 5) and TIMP-2 (-418G/C; rs8179090) in MDS and AML. Results: The study covered cases of confirmed MDS (n=50), AML (n=32) and healthy controls (n=110). MMP-9 mRNA expression revealed 2 fold increased expression in MDS-RAEB II and 2.5 fold in AML M-4 (60-70% blasts). Secretion of gelatinase-B also revealed the MMP-9 mRNA expression and ELISA data also supported these data. We noted that those patients having more blast crises presented with more secretion of MMP-9 and its mRNA expression. In contrast MMP-9 (-1562 C/T) showed significant polymorphic associations in MDS (p<0.02) and AML (p<0.02). MMP-9 mRNA expression of C/T and T/T genotypes were 1.5 and 2.5 fold increased in MDS and AML respectively. In AML, MMP-2 C/T and T/T genotypes showed 2.0 fold mRNA expression. Only MMP-9 (-1306 C/T) showed significant 4 fold (p<0.001) increased risk with chemical and x-ray exposed MDS, while tobacco and cigarette smokers have 3 fold (p<0.04) risk in AML. Conclusions: In view of our results, MMP-9 revealed synergistic secretion and expression in blast crises of MDS and AML with 'gene' polymorphic effects and is significantly associated with increased risk with tobacco, cigarette and environmental exposure. Release and secretion of these enzymes may influence hematopoietic cell behavior and may be important in the clinical point of view. It may offer valuable tools for diagnosis and prognosis, as well as possible targets for the treatments.

Proteome in Toxicological Assessment of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (프로테오믹스를 이용한 내분비계 교란물질 환경독성 연구)

  • 김호승;계명찬
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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    • v.21 no.2
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    • pp.87-100
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    • 2003
  • It is important to understand the potential human health implications of exposure to environmental chemicals that may act as hormonally active agents. It is necessary to have an understanding of how pharmaceutical and personal care products and other chemicals affect the ecosystem of our planet as well as human health. Endocrine disruption is defined as the ability of a chemical contaminating the workplace or the environment to interfere with homeostasis, development, reproduction, and/or behavior in a living organism or it's offspring. Certain classes of environmentally persistent chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, furans, and some pesticides can adversely effect the endocrine systems of aquatic life and terrestrial wildlife. Research continues to support the theory of endocrine disruption. However, endocrine disruption researches have been applied to proteomics poorly. Proteomics can be defined as the systematic analysis of proteins for their identity, quantity and function. It could increase the predictability of early drug development and identify non-invasive biomarkers of tonicity or efficacy. Proteome analysis is most commonly accomplished by the combination of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D/E) and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) sr protein chip array and SELDI-TOF MS. Proteomics have an opportunity to play an important role in resolving the question of what role endocrine disruptors play in initiating human disease. Proteomics can also play an imfortant role in the evaluation of the risk assessment and use of risk management and risk communication tools required to address public health concerns related to notions of endocrine disruptors. Understanding the need for the proteomics and possessing knowledge of the developing biomakers used to abbess endocrine activity potential will he essential components relevant to the topic of endocrine disruptors.

Studies on Platelet Activation of Saikosaponin Isolated From Bupleuri Radix (시호 Saponin의 혈소판 활성화 작용에 관한 연구)

  • 박영현;송민주;김남수
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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    • v.13 no.4
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    • pp.355-359
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    • 1998
  • Platelet activation is originated by the intracellular or/and extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. Agonist-induced $Ca^{2+}$ entry through a plasma-membrane pathway has been reported repeatedly, but the mechanisms has proven harder to elucidate. Recently, a number of natural products have been isolated from medicinal plants and marine organisms and have proved to be useful chemical tools for resolving the mechanism of cellular functions. In an attempt to understand the mechanism of platelet activation in Bupleuri Radix, we have studied some aspects of the isolation of active components and their dependence of external $Ca^{2+}$> on platelet activation. Acetone extract of Bupleuri Radix has the most activity on platelet activation and it's active components were identified as saikosaponin a and d. Their optimal concentration was respectively $20\;\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ and $5\;\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ and their platelet activation was not dependent on external $Ca^{2+}$>, whereas optimal concentration of each agonist was arachidonic acid ($10\;\mu\textrm{M}$), collagen ($10\;\mu\textrm{M}/ml$), thrombin (0.1 unit/mi), PAF (5 nM), PMA ($5\;\mu\textrm{M}$), ionophore A23187 ($2\;\mu\textrm{g}$) and their dependence of external $Ca^{2+}$> on platelet activation appeared to thrombin > collagen $\geq$ PAF > PMA > arachdonic acid> ionophore A23187. These results suggest that saikosaponin is different from each agonists in the dependence of external $Ca^{2+}$ on platelet activation.

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Cellular and Molecular Pathology of Fungi on Plants Studied by Modern Electron Microscopy

  • Sanwald, Sigrun-Hippe
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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    • 1995.06b
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    • pp.27-53
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    • 1995
  • In plant pathology there is an increasing necessity for improved cytological techniques as basis for the localization of cellular substances within the dynamic fine structure of the host-(plant)-pathogen-interaction. Low temperature (LT) preparation techniques (shock freezing, freeze substitution, LT embedding) are now successfully applied in plant pathology. They are regarded as important tools to stabilize the dynamic plant-pathogen-interaction as it exists under physiological conditions. - The main advantage of LT techniques versus conventional chemical fixation is seen in the maintenance of the hydration shell of molecules and macromolecular structures. This results in an improved fine structural preservation and in a superior retention of the antigenicity of proteins. - A well defined ultrastructure of small, fungal organisms and large biological samples such as plant material and as well as the plant-pathogen (fungus) infection sites are presented. The mesophyll tissue of Arabidopsis thaliana is characterized by homogeneously structured cytoplasm closely attached to the cell wall. From analyses of the compatible interaction between Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei on barley (Hordeum vulgare), various steps in the infection sequence can be identified. Infection sites of powdery mildew on primary leaves of barley are analysed with regard to the fine structural preservation of the haustoria. The presentation s focussed on the ultrastructure of the extrahaustorial matrix and the extrahaustorial membrane. - The integration of improved cellular preservation with a molecular analysis of the infected host cell is achieved by the application of secondary probing techniques, i.e. immunocytochemistry. Recent data on the characterization of freeze substituted powdery mildew and urst infected plant tissue by immunogold methodology are described with special emphasis on the localization of THRGP-like (threonine-hydrxyproline-rich glycoprotein) epitopes. Infection sites of powdery mildew on barley, stem rust as well as leaf rust (Puccinia recondita) on primary leaves of wheat were probed with a polyclonal antiserum to maize THRGP. Cross-reactivity with the anti-THRGP antiserum was observed over the extrahaustorial matrix of the both compatible and incompatible plant-pathogen interactions. The highly localized accumulation of THRGP-like epitopes at the extrahaustorial host-pathogen interface suggests the involvement of structural, interfacial proteins during the infection of monocotyledonous plants by obligate, biotrophic fungi.

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Reduction of Autochthonous Organics in Masan Bay using a Simple Box Model (마산만의 자생 유기물 저감을 위한 단순 박스모델의 적용)

  • Hong, Sok-Jin;Lee, Won-Chan;Yoon, Sang-Pil;Park, Sung-Eun;Cho, Yoon-Sik;Kwon, Jung-No;Kim, Dong-Myung
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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    • v.13 no.2 s.29
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    • pp.111-118
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    • 2007
  • Simple box budgets models are useful tools to understand the phenomena of natural system and to provide an insight into the complex processes including physical, chemical and biological processes occurring in natural system. Budgets of fresh water, salt and nutrients were estimated in order to clarify the characteristics of seasonal material cycle in the Masan Bay. Outflow volume of freshwater into system was approximately $307.4\times10^3\sim1,210\times10^3\;m^3/day$. Inflow masses of DIP and DIN were approximately $410.8\sim795.7\;kg/day$ and $4081.4\sim6525.3\;kg/day$, respectively. DIN is expected to accumulate in the system. The removal of nutrients from bottom sediments will contribute to the reduction of 21.0% of COD concentration in the system.

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The Antibacterial Activity Against Fish Pathogen of Paenibacillus sp. MK-11 Isolated from Jeju Coast (제주연안으로부터 분리한 Paenibacillus sp. MK-11의 어류 질병 세균에 대한 항균활성 탐색)

  • Kim, Min-Sun;Park, So-Hyun;Kim, Dong-Hwi;Heo, Moon-Soo
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.24 no.8
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    • pp.880-886
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    • 2014
  • In this study, we isolate and identify bacteria from seawater collected from Jeju coast, to evaluate the antimicrobial activity against the fish pathogenic bacteria. 14 bacterial strains were isolated and identified using physiological, biochemical and molecular tools. Antibacterial activity of all the 14 isolates were screened against four major fish pathogens namely, two Gram-positive: Streptococcus iniae, Streptococcus parauberis and two Gram-negative: Vibrio anguillarum, Edwardsiella tarda. Results revealed that among the 14 isolates, MK-11 was found to have antibacterial activity against S. iniae, S. parauberis, V. anguillarum Particularly, S. iniae was susceptibility with the MIC value of $250{\mu}g/ml$. The biochemical and physio-chemical results reveal that MK-11 had the sugar-alcohol disassemble ability of the D-sorbitol and D-mannitol. Also the utilization of the yeast extract, sorbitol and di-potassium phosphate were noted to be high. The optimum culture condition such as pH and temperature was recorded as pH 6.0, $25^{\circ}C$ and along with 1% NaCl which differs from the previous reports particularly in nutrient resolutions. As results of the analysis of 16S rDNA sequences, MK-11 show the high similarity with Paenibacillus polymyxa, P. jamilae, P. brasilensis 99.78%, 99.43%, 99.39%, repectively. Hence, in the present study, the isolated Paemibacillus sp. MK-11 from Jeju seawater possesses the antibacterial activity against fish pathogens and it could be used as a new antibiotic agents against the gram positive fish pathogens.

A study on the management of harmful working environments for Increase of Labor productivity. (노동생산성 향상을 위한 유해작업환경관리에 관한 연구)

  • 조태웅;유익현;박성애
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.3 no.1
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    • pp.27-44
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    • 1976
  • This study was carried out to evaluate the harmful factors in working environments and to investigate the labor productivity after improvement of environments, surveying 93 industrial establishments of 10 industries located in Youngdeungpo industrial area in Seoul. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The highest noise level of 125dB(A) was indicated at the rolling process of transport equipment manufacturing industry. 2) The best illumination level was shown in precise machinery industry and the worst was indicated in rubber products, metallic products and transport equipment manufacturing industries. 3) Thermal conditions were above threshold limit value (TLV) at more than two processes of all industries except printing industry. 4) The highest dust concentration was determined in textile and wearing manufacturing industry. 5) Organic solvents were detected at 52 processes in 93 industrial establishments and 33 processes of them showed higher than TLV. The results about harmful chemicals were as follows: a) sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$)was determined higher than TLV on welding process of metallic product manufacturing industry and heat treatment process of transport equipment manufacturing industry. b) Carbon monoxide (CO) concentration was 700ppm at heat treatment process of transport equipment manufacturing industry, indicating 14 times of TLV. c) vinylchloride concentration in the air of PVC raw material mixing process and PVC preparation process of chemical product manufacturing industry was determined higher than TLV. d) Hydrochloride (HCl) concentration in the air of wire expanding process of transport equipment manufacturing industry was determined higher than TLV. 7) Higher values of lead concentration than TLV were determined at lead welding metallic product manufacturing industry and type planting process of process of printing industry, $1.8mg/m^3$ and $0.3mg/m^3$ respectively. 9) 22, 968 of 52, 855 workers (i.e. 43.5%) in 93 industries were exposed to various harmful agents. 10) It was found that the improvement of illumination in electric apparatus manufacturing industry (from 20~40 lux to 420 lux) resulted in an increase in productivity of 6.5% per capita and a decrease in faulty products of 19%. 11) Improvement of environments using local exhaust ventilation system resulted in a decrease of harmful substances lower than TLV and an increase in productivity of 11.4%. 12) Improvement of shovelling tools based on ergonomics resulted in a reduction in energy expenditure of 25.3% and an increase in productivity of 32.2% per capita.

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A Study on the Ecological Restoration Strategies for the Disturbed Landscapes (경관훼손지의 생태적 복구방안에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Nam-Choon
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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    • v.1 no.1
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    • pp.28-44
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    • 1998
  • This study was conducted to suggest the ecological restoration strategies for the disturbed landscapes by theoretical study. Especially, it is aimed to suggest three objectives for restoration by using native plants ; (1) prevention or reduction of wind and water erosion, (2) provision of food and cover for variety of animal species, (3) improvement of the visual or aesthetic quality of disturbed sites. The main results were summarized as follows. 1. Cooperation between restoration ecologists and restoration practitioners is needed to delineate a scientific approach to restoration ; (1) Being aware of published literature that describes similar work and/or establish general principles. (2) Preparedness to carry out proper experiments to test ideas. (3) Preparedness to monitor fundamental parameters in a restoration scheme. (4) Providing information about the behavior of species. (5) Publish results. 2. There are three models of succession in theories of plant succession. The tolerance and facilitation models were recommended to ecological restoration. The inhibition model applies in most secondary succession, but the actual species which are introduced first may inhibit the germination and growth of slower-growing species, or they may prevent the growth of other species whose propagules arrive later. 3. The objectives of erosion control, wildlife habitat provision, and visual quality improvement are not mutually exclusive. However, many revegetation practices in the past have emphasized one of these aspects at the expense of the others. 4. A native plant community can be the model of ecological restoration. By stylization/abstraction of native plant community, trying to learn the most essential characteristics of community types - environmental factors ; dominant, prevalent, and "visual essence" species composition - in order to use such information in restoration. 5. After developing mass/spaces plan, match plant communities to the mass/space plan. In utilizing community grouping, there needs aesthetic ability to understand design elements. 6. Several hydrophytes such as Pennisetum saccharifluous, Themeda triandra, Cirsium pendulum show relatively good germination rates. In case of mesophytes and xerophytes, Arundinella hina, Artemisia princeps, Oenothera odorata and legumes seem to have quick-germinating abilities at barren sites. Pinus thunbergii, Rhus chinensis, Evodia daniellii, Alnus firma and Albizzia julibrissin can be considered as "late succession" woody plants because they show low germinating rates and slow growing habitat. 7. The seeds used for restoration should be collected within a certain radius of where it will be planted. Consideration in genetic issues in the collection and use of germplasm can increase the odds for successful restoration efforts. 8. The useful model in the "drift" pattern occurs so abundantly in naturally evolving landscapes. As one species diminishes in density, a second or third species are increased. Thus, dynamic interactions between species are created. Careful using of "drift phenomenon" in planting was recommended. 9. Virtually no stand of vegetation today is immune from the introduction and/or spreading of exotic species. Therefore, the perpetuation of a restored sites requires conscious monitoring and management. Thus, management would be the most important process in ecological restoration. 10. In order to keep the sites "natural", alternative management strategies would be applied in management ; Atenative management strategies are decelerating successional process, accelerating successional processes or modifying species composition. As management tools, mechanical, chemical, biological or environmental factor manipulation, e.g., fire could be used.

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