• 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.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.153-170
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• 2013

This study examined awareness and information acquisition behavior regarding food hygiene and safety of university students to improve safe dietary practices and to get basic information to develop educational materials for food safety. It was conducted among 276 university students of Qingdao University and Liaocheng University in Shandong province, China through a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS Windows V.19.0. To describe characteristics of the respondents, frequency distributions were used. In addition, t test, one-way analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple range tests were conducted. The results were as follows: The respondents were generally interested in food hygiene and safety. However, the level of awareness regarding the food hygiene and safety system in China was not high. Almost forty-five percent of the respondents did not think that foods produced and distributed in China were safe. For the reasons for their distrust, most of the students replied that they did not trust the safety 'because of distrust for hygiene of the food process', followed by 'because of distrust for food distribution' and 'because of excess or illegal use of food additives on food process'. The respondents answered for the concern level toward food hygiene and safety foodborne disease threatened food safety the most, followed by heavy metal contamination and endocrine disruptors. The respondents acquired most information from electronic media including TV and radio. Most of the students wanted to participate in food hygiene and safety education. Finally, when they found hazardous or foreign materials in food the most frequent reaction was 'paying attention in the next purchase', followed by 'notifying others', and 'letting it go this time but never buying that product in the future'.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.203-209
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• 2006

Azoles are widely used antifungal agents, which inhibit the biosynthesis of fungal cell-membrane ergosterol. In this study, using an amphibian follicle culture system, the effects of azoles on follicular steroidogenesis in frogs were examined. Itraconazole (ICZ), clotrimazole (CTZ) and ketoconazole (KCZ) suppressed pregnenolone ($P_5$) production by the follicles ($ED_{50};\;0.04_{\mu}M,\;0.33_{\mu} M,\;and\;0.91_{\mu}M$, respectively) in response to frog pituitary homogenates (FPH). However, fluconazole (FCZ), miconazole (MCZ) and econazole (ECZ) were not effective in the suppression of $P_5$ production. Not all the azoles examined suppressed the conversion of exogenous $P_5$ to progesterone ($P_4$) (by $3{\beta}$- HSD) or $P_4$ to $17{\alpha}$-hydroxyprogesterone ($17{\alpha}$-OHP) (by $17{\alpha}$-hydroxylase), or androstenedione (AD) to testosterone (T) (by $17{\beta}$-HSD). In contrast, CTZ, MCZ and ECZ in medium partially suppressed the conversion of $17{\alpha}$-OHP to AD (by C17-20 lyase) ($ED_{50};\;0.25{\mu} M,\;4.5{\mu}M,\;and\;0.7{mu}M$, respectively) and CTZ, KCZ, ECZ and MCZ strongly suppressed the conversion of exogenous T to estradiol ($E_2$) (by aromatase) ($ED_{50};\;0.02{\mu}M,\;8{\mu}M,\;0.07{\mu}M,\;0.8{\mu}M$, respectively). These results demonstrated that some azole agents strongly suppress amphibian follicular steroidogenesis and particularly, P450scc and aromatase are more sensitive to azoles than other steroidogenic enzymes.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.103-108
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• 2011

Measurement of estrogen concentration in bio-samples are very important for differential diagnosis of various disease or evaluation of health status. However, it is difficult to collect immediate data of estrogen concentration because they are measured by radioimmunoassay or chromatography which need time- and cost-consuming sample pre-treatment. This study was performed for development of new estrogen biosensor employing taste principles, and for evaluation of cross reactivity between various steroid hormones. Gene sequence of ligand binding domain of ${\alpha}$-human estrogen receptor (amino acid 302-553; hER-LBD) was cloned from human breast cancer cell line. The proteins of hER-LBD were produced by T7-E.coli expression system, and isolated by chromatography. hER-LBD were coated on the gold plated quartz crystal (AT-cut 9MHz), and resonance frequencies were measured by universal frequency counter. Estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and aldosterone were used for cross reactivity of the hER-LBD. We also monitored influences of pH change in resonance frequency. The resonance frequencies of hER-LBD coated quartz crystal were decreased during increase of estrogen concentration from $15 \;{\mu}g/mL$ to $50\;{\mu}g/mL$. However, similar steroid hormones, progesterone and aldosterone, did not elicit the change in resonance frequency. Testosterone evoke weak change in resonance frequency. The new estrogen biosensor was more sensitive in pH 7.2 than in pH 7.6. These results suggest that hER-LBD coated quartz crystal biosensor is a probable estrogen biosensor.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.5-11
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• 2018

Recent findings indicate that Type 2 taste receptors (T2Rs) are expressed outside the gustatory system, including in the gastrointestinal tracts and the exocrine glands, such as the submandibular (SM), parotid (P), lacrimal (L) glands and pancreas (PC). Specifically, T2Rs are found in some of the gastrointestinal endocrine cells, and these cells secreted peptide hormones in response to stimulation by bitter-tasting compounds. The results show that T2Rs may have significant physiological roles besides bitter taste reception. The functions of the T2Rs in the exocrine glands remain poorly understood. An expression levels analysis of T2Rs will help to determine those functions in the exocrine glands. The expression levels of the T2Rs in the exocrine glands were discovered via the qPCR. C57BL/6J mice of 42~60-day-old were used. Messenger RNAs were extracted from S, P, L and PC. Cloned DNAs were synthesized by reverse transcription. Quantitative PCRs were performed using the SYBR Green method. The expression levels of the T2Rs were calculated as relative expression levels to that of the GAPDH. The statistical significance among the observed exocrine glands was tested using the variance analysis (ANOVA test). Tas2r108, out of murine 35 T2Rs, was the most highly expressed in every observed exocrine gland. This finding was similar to previous results from tongue papillae, but the expression levels were lower than those of the tongue papillae. Tas2r137 of SM, P, L and PC were expressed a little lower than that of tongue papillae. The T2Rs in the exocrine glands may play slightly different roles from those in the tongue. We suggest that physiological studies such as a patch clamp and functional $Ca^{2+}$ imaging of acinar cells are necessary for understanding the Tas2r108 functions.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.141-157
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of this study is to examine the effects of acupuncture at PC7(Daereung) on normal human EEG using power spectral analysis. Methods : EEG power spectrum exhibits site-specific and state-related differences in specific frequency bands. In this study, power spectrum was used as a measure of complexity. 30 subjects (16 males and 14 females; averaged age = 23.4 years) were engaged with thirty channel EEG study. Results : In $\alpha$(alpha) band, the power values at Fp1, Fp2, F7, F8 channels(p<0.05) during PC7 treatment were significantly decreased. But, the power values at Fz channel(p<0.05) during non-acupoint treatment was significantly decreased. In $\beta$(beta) band, the power values at Fp1, Fp2 channels(p<0.05) during PC7 treatment were significantly decreased. But, the power values at Fz channel(p<0.05) during non-acupoint treatment was significantly decreased and at F8, TCP2 channels(p<0.05) during non-acupoint treatment were increased. In $\theta$(theta) band, the power values at Fp1, Fp2, F7, F8 channels(p<0.05) during PC7 treatment were significantly decreased. But, the power values at Fz channel(p<0.05) during non-acupoint treatment was significantly decreased. In $\delta$(delta) band, the power values at Fp1, Fp2, F7, Fz, F8 channels (p<0.05) during PC7 treatment were significantly decreased. But, the power values at Fz channel (p<0.05) during non-acupoint treatment was significantly decreased. $\alpha/\beta$ values during PC7 treatment were decreased. $\beta/\theta$ values during PC7 treatment were decreased. Conclusion : These results suggest that acupuncture at PC7 induce the change on $\alpha$(alpha), $\beta$(beta), $\theta$ (theta), $\delta$(delta) wave values being decreased and and bothe $\alpha/\beta$ and $\beta/\theta$ values being decreased respectively. This is considered that acupuncture at PC7 affects the activity of cerebral cortex and endocrine system.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.15-18
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• 2005

Background: Epidural steroid injections (ESI) have been used widely for the treatment of back and radiating extremity pain. Although its effects on the metabolic and endocrine system have been studied, the effects following repeated injections remain to be determined. We studied the effects of three repeated caudal epidural injections of low dose triamcinolone. Methods: the subject were 10 elderly women with spinal stenosis. Caudal epidural injections were performed biweekly. Triamcinolone (20 mg), mixed with 15 ml of 0.25% lidocaine, was used as the ESI injectate. The procedures were performed with the patient in the prone position. Blood sampling was performed just before the first injection, and used as the baseline, and then just before each injection on the same day of the 2nd and 4th weeks, with the last samples taken 2 weeks after the third injection. Results: The blood glucose concentrations showed no significant changes. The blood cortisol and ACTH concentrations were significantly decreased after the first injection, but there were no further decreases after each of the subsequent injections. The cortisol concentrations were maintained within the normal range. Conclusion: Caudal epidural injections, with low dose triamcinolone, suppressed the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, but no further suppression followed the subsequent repeated injections. Three consecutive caudal injections at 2 week intervals seems to be a safe procedure.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.254-258
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• 2006

Vitellogenin has been known as a potent biomarker protein for the estrogenic activity in fish exposed to endocrine disruptors. In this study, a piezoelectric immunosensor making use of an anticarp vitellogenin antibody and an AT-cut quartz crystal microbalance as the biological component and transducer was prepared, followed by its application to the analysis of carp vitellogenin as follows. Antibody immobilization was conducted by chemisorption of a thiolated antibody with a heterobifunctional thiolation cross-linker, sulfosuccinimidyl 6-[3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionamido]hexanoate. The reaction buffer for the immunosensor system was optimized as 0.1 M sodium phosphate (pH 7.4). Concentration-dependent sensor responses were obtained in the vitellogenin concentrations ranging from 0.4864 to 486.4000 nM, with a linear correlation between vitellogenin concentration and frequency shift in double-logarithmic scale. The limit of detection of the immunosensor for carp vitellogenin was presumed as 0.4864 nM.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.670-678
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• 2004

In oriental medicine, meridian is pathway of bio-energy, and basic an object of diagnosis/therapy. But, in western medicine, meridian has been accepted as action pathway of nerve-endocrine-immune system. Acupuncture effect has been regarded as not effect by transmission of bio-energy but action or response by stimulation. In this paper, when an acupuncturist's bio-energy is passed on(non-insulation) and when is not(insulation), we analysed electric potential on meridian/non-meridian to verify effect of acupuncture therapy. In the results, when bio-energy isn't passed on, bio-potential is reacted to only the first of 4 times acupuncture operating. But when bio-energy is passed on, it is reacted to 4 times, and potential on meridian is higher than that of on non-meridian. Electric potential for same acupuncture operating is different on non/meridians, which implies that physiological construction and bio-energy transmission material is different respectively. When is extracting acupuncture method, potential is higher than that of injection one. It implies that extracting method is more effect than injecting one, in aspect of acupuncture therapy effect. Therefore, acupuncture therapy effect is verified as effect of response by acupuncturist's bio-energy transmission rather than that by only acupuncture stimulus.

• Hwankyungkyoyuk
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.275-290
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• 1998

Nowadays, mankind is suffering from serious pollutions. In proportion to industrial modernization, polltional problems have been increased and arised new one endlessly. Todays, we are cope with a newkind pollution materials threatening the life of mankind with root out. It is Environmental Hormon, that is, Endocrine Disrupting Chemical(EDs). EDs was made by dioxin, PCB, DDT, cadmium, lead, ether and even diethylstillbestrol(DES) that used to contraceptive pill etc. These EDs makes changing from normal human hormon to abnormal one and it kill off or fade out spermatozoa. Then the spermatozoa was infected with EDs makes man imposex, sexual malformations and infertility also. It is the more critical phenomenons that EDs invade into the field of wild-life; birds, invertebrate animals, fishes, mammalia especially. England TV(BBC) journalist Cadury, D. introduced a lot of case studies that many kind of male animals was changed feminization by EDs in her book (The Feminization of Nature;1997). Otherwise, Gibbs, P.E. and Bryan, G. W. reported about dog-whelk snail (a sort of sea shell) was changed gender from male to female by EDs in their study. Briefly speaking, Environmental Hormon (EDs) stem from polluted materials maloperate human and animal informational codes of hormon. It is a significant event to an individual ontogeny and ecological system. To overcome these problem WHO, OECD, UNEP held many work-shops, international seminars and researches but it is not enough yet. On May of 1997, the International Meeting of Environmental Administrators makes a $\ulcorner$Declaration on EDs Problems$\lrcorner$ for solving it fortunately and NHK(japan) reported Super Critical Fluid as a new materials for decrease toxicity of dioxin in recent. Key Words : Environmental Hormon, EDs, imposex feminization, gender, DES, spermatozoa. Super Critical Fluid.