• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1489-1494
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• 2004

A gas chromatography/mass spectrometric assay method was developed for the determination of persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) in hair. For the exact extraction study was used hair of rat exposed with POPs. Sonication of the hair matrix with 3 M HCl solution in methylene chloride of the extraction methods studied was the most efficient and rapid sample preparation method. After sonication of rat hair was achieved clean up with a solid phase extraction procedure using silica gel-florisil. Elution was performed with 8 mL of methylene chloride. The eluate was concentrated to approximately 100 ${\mu}L$ and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Detection limits of POPs were in the concentration range of 0.6-1.2 ng/g in rat hair. Aldrin, dieldrin, p,p-DDT and mirex were dosed rat for 4 weeks at concentration of 0.01 mg/L in drinking water and detected in rat hair at concentration of 2.8, 11.3, 7.9 and 15.6 ng/g, respectively. Aldrin and p,p-DDT were metabolized to dieldrin and p,p-DDE, which were detected in concentration of 9.7 and 2.9 ng/g in rat hair, respectively. The developed method may be valuable to be used to analyze POPs in human hair.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.387-395
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• 2008

A novel Tc1-like transposable element has been identified as a new DNA transposon in the mud loach, Misgurnus mizolepis. The M. mizolepis Tc1-like transposon (MMTS) is comprised of inverted terminal repeats and a single gene that codes Tc1-like transposase. The deduced amino acid sequence of the transposase-encoding region of MMTS transposon contains motifs including DDE motif, which was previously recognized in other Tc1-like transposons. However, putative MMTS transposase has only 34-37% identity with well-known Tc1, PPTN, and S elements at the amino acid level. In dot-hybridization analysis used to measure the copy numbers of the MMTS transposon in genomes of the mud loach, it was shown that the MMTS transposon is present at about $3.36{\times}10^4$ copies per $2{\times}10^9$ bp, and accounts for approximately 0.027% of the mud loach genome. Here, we also describe novel MMTS-like transposons from the genomes of carp-like fishes, flatfish species, and cichlid fishes, which bear conserved inverted repeats flanking an apparently intact transposase gene. Additionally, BLAST searches and phylogenetic analysis indicated that MMTS-like transposons evolved uniquely in fishes, and comprise a new subfamily of Tc1-like transposons, with only modest similarity to Drosophila melanogaster (foldback element FB4, HB2, HB1), Xenopus laevis, Xenopus tropicalis, and Anopheles gambiae (Frisky).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1424-1433
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• 2019

DDT is a hydrophobic organic pollutant, which can be bio-accumulated in nature and have adverse consequences on the physical condition of humans and animals. This study investigated the relationship between the white-rot fungus Pleurotus eryngii and biosurfactant-producing bacterium Ralstonia pickettii associated with the degradation of DDT. The effects of R. pickettii on fungal development were examined using in vitro confrontation assay on a potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. R. pickettii culture was added to the P. eryngii culture at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 ml ($1ml{\approx}1.44{\times}10^{13}CFU$). After 7 d incubation, about 43% of the initial DDT ($12.5{\mu}M$) was degraded by the P. eryngii culture only. The augmentation of 7 ml of R. pickettii culture revealed a more highly optimized synergism with DDT degradation being approximately 78% and the ratio of optimization 1.06. According to the confrontational assay, R. pickettii promoted the growth of P. eryngii towards the bacterial colony, with no direct contact between the bacterial cells and mycelium (0.71 cm/day). DDD (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl) ethane), DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl) ethylene), and DDMU (1-chloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl) ethylene) were identified as metabolic products, indicating that the R. pickettii could enhance the DDT biodegradation by P. eryngii.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.283.2-283.2
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• 2002

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been used intensively in agriculture and industry for a long time. They belong to a group of contaminants whose occurrence in the environment is a serious concern to environmental chemists and toxicologists due to their resistance to degradation in the environment as well as their potential toxicity. Also. the lipophilic characteristics of these substances are responsible for their ability to bioaccumulate in tissues and organs rich in lipids of men and animals through food chain. Therefore, the measure of the levels of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in human tissues are good markers in detemining the extent to exposure and evaluating the hazards. This study was preformed to compare concentrations of organochlorine pesticides(${\alpha}-BHC, {\beta}-BHC, {\gamma}-BHC, {\delta}-BHC$, p.p'-DDT,p.p'-DDD,p.p.'-DDE. endrin. dieldrin. aldrin) and seven marker PCBs(PCB nos. 28. 52. 101. 118. 138. 153. 180) in liver. kidney cortex, lung blood and adipose tissue collected at autopsies of 10men and 10 women using gas chromatography equipped with electron capture detector to express the data on a lipid adjusted basis. From the results, the significant differences in the levels of organochlorines of PCBs between sexes, districts where they had lived and ages were also investigated.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.215-223
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• 2016

This study is to investigate the biological, biochemical and cytotoxic effects of puffer fish (Arothron stellatus) toxin extracts under in-vitro condition. Extracted toxins from various organs of puffer fish were purified by using active charcoal column, and Bio-gel-P2 column chromatography. The lethality of toxin was tested in crabs, which consists of neurotoxic compounds. The degree of the brine shrimp lethality assay was found directly proportional to the concentration of the toxin extracts, which was well supported by hemolytic assay. The experimental results suggested that the gonad was found higher toxins than the liver and muscles. The mortality rate of brine shrimp nauplii was increased with the raise of concentrations of toxin level. Among the different doses and time dependent cytotoxic effect of human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells were showed $4.0{\mu}g/mL$ of toxin, which was effectively inhibited cancer cell proliferation. HPLC and TLC analysis was revealed that the A. stellatus toxin contains tetrodotoxin (TTX), related compounds 4-epi TTX and anhydro-TTX. The present results suggested that the A. stellatus contain TTX as a major and anh-TTX as a minor toxin. It could be the potential candidate in the field of anticancer drug discovery against human cervical cancer cells. The present data is confirming that the puffer fish toxin as an interesting source of novel bioactive natural compounds with potent applications in pharmacology.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.118-127
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• 2010

Bivalve samples from 30 locations Korean coastal waters were analyzed to characterize the contamination with and distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). The congeners of PBDE in 30 bivalve samples were analyzed by high resolution gas chromatography with a high resolution mass detector. The levels of PBDEs in bivalve samples ranged from 0.092 to 13.5 ng/g wet weight. These values for PBDEs concentrations in bivalves from Korea were higher than or comparable to available values for bivalves from other countries. In the congener profiles, BDE-47 (mean contribution=42.2%) was predominant, followed by BDE-99 (23.1%), BDE-100 (11.9%) and BDE-154 (3.5%). Among the OCs analyzed, $\Sigma$PCBs and $\Sigma$DDTs levels were highest, followed by $\Sigma$HCHs, $\Sigma$CHLs and HCB. The wet weight based $\Sigma$PCBs and $\Sigma$DDTs ranged from 0.28 ng/g to 19.4 ng/g, and from 0.19 ng/g to 4.86 ng/g, respectively. The $\Sigma$PCBs and $\Sigma$DDT slevels in bivalves along the entire Korean coast were lower than those of the USA, and below the Food and Drug Administration (USA. FDA) limits for fish and shell fish. However, the human health criteria and wild life criteria of the USA. Environmental Protection Agency (USA. EPA) were exceeded for DDE and $\Sigma$HCHs at most of the sampling points.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2011

Distribution of Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides in sediments, seawater and fish tissues were examined. Concentrations of ${\Sigma}PCBs$ and ${\Sigma}DDTs$ in the intertidal sediments of Asan Bay ranged from $1.90{\sim}3.27\;ng\;g^{-1}$ dw (dry weight) and $0.51{\sim}1.26\;ng\;g^{-1}$ dw, respectively. ${\Sigma}PCBs$ concentrations in the tissue of greenling (Hexagrammos otakii), olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) and finespotted flounder (Pleuronichthys cornutus) were $1.27{\pm}0.55$, $1.30{\pm}0.71$ and $1.19{\pm}0.43\;ng\;g^{-1}$ ww (wet weight), respectively. The profile of PCBs in the sediments and the 3 species of fish differed as witnessed by the dominance of tetra- to penta-chlorinated congeners in sediments while penta- to hexa-chlorinated congeners dominated in fish. ${\Sigma}DDTs$ concentrations were $0.67{\pm}0.52$, $0.79{\pm}0.61$, $1.58{\pm}1.05\;ng\;g^{-1}$ ww respectively in the tissue of greenling, olive flounder and finespotted flounder. The p,p'-DDE appeared to be the most important metabolite of DDT in studied fishes. The concentrations of PCBs and organochlorine pesticides measured in this study for fish were generally lower than those of previous studies. Compared to the pollutant concentration quality guidelines in marine fish, the environment of Asan Bay appears to be in a healthy state.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.207-216
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• 2004

유기염소계 농약은 화학적으로 안정하고, 지용성이 크며 체내 대사에 대해 저항성을 가지고 있어서 인체 및 생태계의 생물체 중 축적성이 매우 크다. 또한 대부분 내분비계 장애물질로 분류되어 있어 관심의 대상이 되고 있다. 유기염소계 농약은 잔류성으로 인하여 사용이 금지되었음에도 불구하고 인체에서 검출되고 있으며 한국인의 지방조직을 분석한 결과 9종의 유기염소계 농약이 주로 축적되어 있음이 보고된 바 있다. 본 연구에서는 이들 유기염소계 농약의 에스트로겐 활성을 MCF-7 BUS cell을 이용한 E-screen assay competitive binding assay 및 pS$_2$ gene experession assay에 의해 조사하였다. o,p'-DDT,p, p'-DDT,p,p'-DDD,p,p'-DDE등 4종의 유기염소계 농약은 에스트로겐 수용체에 대한 ligand의존적인 작용기전에 의해 에스트로겐 활성을 가지며, $\alpha$-, $\beta$-, ${\gamma}$-, $\delta$-BHC, dieldrin등 5종의 유기염소계 농약은 lingand-비의존적 작용기전에 의해 에스트로겐 활성을 보였다. 또한 이들 유기염소계 농약을 혼합 투여하여 에스트로겐 활성을 관찰한 결과 DDT류의 경우에는 단독투여시 보다 그 대사체와 혼합 투여할 때 에스트로겐 활성에 상승적 효과가 나타났으며 o,p'-와 p,p'-DDT의 두 이성질체를 혼합 투여할 경우가 단독 투여시 보다 상승적 효과가 나타났다. 따라서 지방조직에서 검출되는 유기염소계농약은 상호작용에 의해 개별 물질이 나타내는 내분비계장애작용 보다 실제로는 강한 효과를 나타낼 것으로 추정되었다.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.442-453
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• 2014

Objectives: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are known to be the detrimental chemicals in the body, even at low levels, and are stored in adipose tissue. Recently, POPs have been reported to be associated with chronic diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular disease, and aging and obesity are reported as common factors in chronic disease. However, there have been only a few studies on the associations of POPs with age and body mass index (BMI) in Korea. Therefore, we analyzed the associations of serum POPs levels with age and BMI in Korea. Methods: This cross-sectional study includes 444 subjects (253 men and 191 women) from the Korean Cancer Prevention Study-II (2004-2011). Serum levels of 33 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 19 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were measured by a gas chromatographer (Agilent 6890) coupled to high resolution mass spectrometer (JEOL JMS-800D). Results: Concentrations of PCB 153 (men: 12.26 ng/g lipid, women: 10.50 ng/g lipid) and p,p'-DDE (men: 94.66 ng/g lipid, women: 96.66 ng/g lipid) were the highest among serum PCBs and OCPs, respectively. PCBs and OCPs were significantly positively correlated with age in both sexes. After adjustment for age, non-dioxin like PCBs were significantly negatively correlated with body mass in women. However, cis-heptachlor epoxide was significantly positively correlated with body mass index in both sexes. When analyzed by sex, stronger associations were shown between POPs and age in men and POPs and BMI in women. Conclusion: These results may provide baseline data for the study of POPs and for the health management field in Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1829-1832
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer is the second most common malignancy among Nepalese women, accounting for 60% of the total cancer cases in females. Women diagnosed with germline mutations in BRCA1 like 185delAG, 1294del40 develop breast and/or ovarian cancer with a lifelong likelihood of up to 85% whereas presence of a mutation increases the risk for mutations to occur in other genes. The major objective of this study was to find the prevalence of these mutations in Nepalese cancer patients. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was carried out at two cancer hospitals in the Kathmandu valley over a period of 11 months. Irrespective of age group and stage of canceran appropriate amount of blood was withdrawn from 50 breast cancer patients and 20 controls. DNA was extracted manually and subjected to PCR using primers for 185delAG and 1294del40 mutations. PCR products were then digested with restriction enzyme (DdeII) followed by electrophoresis. Results: Prevalence of 185delAG in reference breast cancer patients was found to be 4/50 (8%) but no 1294del40 was apparent. Conclusions: Several mutations occurring in different exons of BRCA1 as well as mutations in other genes like BRCA2, for example, should also be taken in account.