• Title/Summary/Keyword: Environmental Protection

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Current Evidence on the Association between rs3757318 of C6orf97 and Breast Cancer Risk: a Meta-Analysis

  • Hong, Yuan;Chen, Xue-Qin;Li, Jiao-Yuan;Liu, Cheng;Shen, Na;Zhu, Bei-Bei;Gong, Jing;Chen, Wei
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.19
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    • pp.8051-8055
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    • 2014
  • Background: A common genetic variant rs3757318, located in intron of C6orf97, was firstly identified to be associated with breast cancer (BC) risk by a genome-wide association (GWA) study. However, subsequent validation studies with different ethnicities have yielded conflicting results. Materials and Methods: We performed a meta-analysis to synthesize all available data for evaluating the precise effect of this variant on BC susceptibility. Results: A total of 8 articles containing 11 studies with 62,891 cases and 65,635 controls were included in this meta-analysis. When compared to the G allele, the rs3757318-A allele was significantly associated with BC risk with the pooled OR of 1.21 (95% CI=1.15 - 1.29, P<0.001) but with obvious between-study heterogeneity (P=0.040). Stratified analysis suggested that diversity of ethnicity along with control source may explain part of the heterogeneity. Similarly, significant associations were also identified in heterozygote, homozygote, dominant and recessive genetic models. Sensitivity and publication bias analyses indicated robust stability of our results. Conclusions: Our present meta-analysis demonstrated that the variant rs3757318 is associated with increased BC risk. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to clarify the underlying biological mechanisms.

Bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) exposed to crude oil-contaminated sediments

  • Lee, Chang-Hoon;Lee, Ji-Hye;Sung, Chan-Gyoung;Moon, Seong-Dae;Kang, Sin-Kil;Lee, Jong-Hyeon;Yim, Un Hyuk;Shim, Won Joon;Ha, Sung Yong
    • The Korean Journal of Malacology
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    • v.30 no.4
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    • pp.371-381
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    • 2014
  • The bioaccumulation of 16 United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkylated PAHs in the Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum exposed to sediments artificially contaminated by Iranian Heavy Crude Oil was measured and the biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) was estimated through laboratory experiments. The proportion of 16 PAHs accumulated in the tissue of R. philippinarum was only from 3 to 7% of total PAHs. Among 16 PAHs, the concentration of naphthalene was highest in the tissue. Alkylated PAHs were highly accumulated more than 93% of total PAHs. The C3 dibenzothiophene was most highly accumulated. The relative composition of alkylated naphthalenes in the tissue of R. philippinarum was lower than in the sediments. In contrast, those of alkylated compounds of fluorenes, phenanthrenes, dibenzothiophenes were higher in the tissue than the sediments. The BSAF for sum of 16 PAHs was 0.11 to 0.13 g carbon/g lipid and that for alkylated PAHs was 0.05 to 0.06 g carbon/g lipid. Naphthalene showed the highest BSAF value. Alkylated PAHs with the same parent compound, BSAF tended to increase with the number of alkylated branch increased, except for alkylated chrysenes. BSAF of total PAHs lies between that of field-based values, and are also similar to those of other persistent organic pollutants (PCBs, DDTs, HCHs). This study provides the BSAF values of individual alkylated PAHs accumulated in R. philippinarum for the first time and will be used as a basis for further understanding the bioaccumulation of organic contaminants in the marine benthic organisms.

Optimization of Air Quality Monitoring Networks in Busan Using a GIS-based Decision Support System (GIS기반 의사결정지원시스템을 이용한 부산 대기질 측정망의 최적화)

  • Yoo, Eun-Chul;Park, Ok-Hyun
    • Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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    • v.23 no.5
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    • pp.526-538
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    • 2007
  • Since air quality monitoring data sets are important base for developing of air quality management strategies including policy making and policy performance assessment, the environmental protection authorities need to organize and operate monitoring network properly. Air quality monitoring network of Busan, consisting of 18 stations, was allocated under unscientific and irrational principles. Thus the current state of air quality monitoring networks was reassessed the effect and appropriateness of monitoring objectives such as population protection and sources surveillance. In the process of the reassessment, a GIS-based decision support system was constructed and used to simulate air quality over complex terrain and to conduct optimization analysis for air quality monitoring network with multi-objective. The maximization of protection capability for population appears to be the most effective and principal objective among various objectives. The relocation of current monitoring stations through optimization analysis of multi-objective appears to be better than the network building for maximization of population protection capability. The decision support system developed in this study on the basis of GIS-based database appear to be useful for the environmental protection authorities to plan and manage air quality monitoring network over complex terrain.

The Effects of Integrated Environmental Experience Program on Environmental Attitude of Elementary Schoolers (통합 환경체험 프로그램이 초등학생의 환경태도에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Chan-Ki;Choi, Sung-Bong
    • Journal of Environmental Science International
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    • v.19 no.12
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    • pp.1409-1419
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    • 2010
  • Recently, Korea's interest in environment protection is increasingly growing, and Korea realizes the seriousness of environmental pollution and national movement to minimize the effect is arising. As part of the movement, the need of environmental education in elementary schools is on the rise. This study aims to develop integrated environmental experience programs allowing students to have experience activities in forests, rivers, and seas that they can approach easily around them and to have environmental education through various plays. In addition, the study purposes to compare general educational education programs in actual education in terms of the effect of the program on students' environment attitudes. This study was conducted to 50 fourth graders in two classes of S elementary school in Busan, and the 25-student comparative group had the normal educational education program that is mostly being performed in actual education while the 25-student treatment group had the survey on environmental attitude after a class using an integrated environmental experience program. The survey content is about environmental attitudes, and it consists of six subjects such as general environment, environmental pollution, energy, water resources, recycling, and animal protection and has 7 or 8 items by each subject which is divided into eight sub-items including sensibility, belief, values, spontaneity, criticism, patience, attention and interest. The findings are as follows. First, the integrated environmental experience program has a more positive effect on environmental attitudes than the general educational program. In particular, it is really effective about the topic of animal protection among students' environmental attitudes. Second, the integrated environmental experience program has a more positive effect on values and interests than the general environmental education program.

Yeast Elf1 Factor Is Phosphorylated and Interacts with Protein Kinase CK2

  • Kubinski, Konrad;Zielinski, Rafal;Hellman, Ulf;Mazur, Elzbieta;Szyszka, Ryszard
    • BMB Reports
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    • v.39 no.3
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    • pp.311-318
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    • 2006
  • One of the biggest group of proteins influenced by protein kinase CK2 is formed by factors engaged in gene expression. Here we have reported recently identified yeast transcription elongation factor Elf1 as a new substrate for both monomeric and tetrameric forms of CK2. Elf1 serves as a substrate for both the recombinant CK2$\alpha$' ($K_m$ 0.38 ${\mu}M$) and holoenzyme ($K_m$ $0.13\;{\mu}M$). By MALDI-MS we identified the two serine residues at positions 95 and 117 as the most probable in vitro phosphorylation sites. Co-immunoprecypitation experiments show that Elf1 interacts with catalytic ($\alpha$ and $\alpha$') as well as regulatory ($\beta$ and $\beta$') subunits of CK2. These data may help to elucidate the role of protein kinase CK2 and Elf1 in the regulation of transcription elongation.

Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric Determination of Trace Horseradish Peroxidase Using Nanosilver

  • Jiang, Zhi-Liang;Tang, Ya-Fang;Wei, Lin;Liang, Ai-Hui
    • Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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    • v.32 no.8
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    • pp.2732-2736
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    • 2011
  • In pH 4.2 HAc-NaAc buffer solution, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) catalyzed $H_2O_2$ oxidation of nanosilver to form $Ag^+$. After centrifugation, $Ag^+$ in the supernatant can be measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS) at the silver absorption wavelength of 328.1 nm. When HRP concentration increased, the $Ag^+$ concentration in the supernatant increased, and the absorption value enhanced. The HRP concentration in the range of 0.84-50 $ng{\cdot}mL^{-1}$ was linear to the enhanced absorption value (${\Delta}A$), with a regression equation of ${\Delta}A$=0.012C+0.11, correlation coefficient of 0.9988, and detection limit of 0.41 $ng{\cdot}mL^{-1}$ HRP. The proposed GFAAS method was used to detect HRP in waste water samples, with satisfactory results.

Ecological Risk Assessment of Chemicals of Concern for Initiation of Ecorisk-based Water Quality Standards in Korea (생태수질기준설정을 위한 대상물질의 생태위해성 평가)

  • An, Youn-Joo;Nam, Sun-Hwa;Kim, Yong-Hwa
    • Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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    • v.24 no.5
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    • pp.592-597
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    • 2008
  • Current water quality standard (WQS) in Korea is based on the protection of human health, not considering the protection of aquatic organisms. Most of chemicals can be toxic to ecological biota as well as human. Health of aquatic biota is closely related to the human health via food chain, therefore ecological risk based-WQS needs to be developed to protect the aquatic ecosystem. In this study, we selected the 31 chemicals in the Project entitled 'Development of integrated methodology for evaluation of water environment'. The methodology for calculating water quality criteria was derived from the Australian and New Zealand processes for deriving guideline trigger value for aquatic ecosystem. The available ecotoxicity data were collected from US EPA's ECOTOXicology Database (ECOTOX), TOX-2000 Database, European Chemicals Bureau (ECB)'s International Uniform Chemical Information Database (IUCLID) and Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)'s report 'Ambient Water Quality Criteria (AWQC)'. The aquatic toxicity data for the Korean species were selected for risk assessment to reflect the Korean water environment. The monitoring values were calculated from the water quality monitoring data four main Korean rivers. We suggested the order of priorities of chemicals based on ecological risk assessment. We expect that these results can be useful information for establishing the WQS for the protection of aquatic ecosystem.

Practical Experiences with Corrosion Protection of Water Intake Gates in Mekong River

  • Phong, Truong Hong;Tru, Nguyen Nhi;Han, Le Quang
    • Corrosion Science and Technology
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    • v.7 no.6
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    • pp.328-331
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    • 2008
  • Corrosion behaviour of water intake gate steel structures with different protective measures was investigated. Five material alternatives were taken for investigation, including: imported and recycled stainless steel, carbon steel with hot zinc spraying, painting and composite coatings. Results of corrosion rate for carbon steel, SUS 304, hot zinc spray coats in three water systems of Mekong river basin (saline, blackish and fresh) were also presented. Corrosion rate of carbon steel decreased with decreasing salinity in the investigated water environments. Meanwhile, these values for zinc coated steel, behaved by another way. Environmental data for these systems were filed and discussed in relation with corrosion characteristics. Method of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was applied in materials selection for water intake gate construction. From point of Life Cycle Cost (LCA) the following ranking was obtained: Zinc sprayed steel < Recycled stainless steel < Composite coated steel < Painting steel < SUS 304 From investigated results, hot zinc spray coating has been applied as protective measure for steel structures of water intake systems in Mekong river basin.

Microwave Assisted Synthesis of SnS Decorated Graphene Nanocomposite with Efficient Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Applications

  • Wang, Jun-Hui;Zeng, Yi-Kai;Gu, Hao;Zhu, Lei;Oh, Won-Chun
    • Korean Journal of Materials Research
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    • v.30 no.12
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    • pp.641-649
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    • 2020
  • A facile microwave assisted solvothermal process is designed for fabricating SnS nanoparticles decorated on graphene nanosheet, which used as visible light driven photocatalyst. Some typical characterization techniques such as XRD, FT-IR, SEM with EDX analysis, and TEM and BET analysis are used to analyse the physical characteristics of as-prepared samples. Spherical SnS nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed on the surface of graphene nanosheet due to ammonia, which can prevent the aggregation of graphene oxide. Meanwhile, microwave radiation provides fast energy that promotes the formation of spherical SnS nanoparticles within a short time. The visible light photocatalytic activity of as-prepared SnS-GR nanocomposites is analysed through photodegradation efficiency of methylene blue with high concentration. According to the higher photocatalytic property, the as-prepared SnS-GR nanocomposites can be expected to be an efficient visible light driven photocatalyst. After five cycles for decolorization, the rate decreases from 87 % to 78 % (about 9 %). It is obvious that the photocatalytic activity of SnS-GR nanocomposite has good repeatability.

Microwave Assisted Synthesis of Graphene-Bi2MoO6 Nanocomposite as Sono-Photocatalyst

  • Tang, Jia-Yao;Zhu, Lei;Fan, Jia-Yi;Sun, Chen;Oh, Won-Chun
    • Korean Journal of Materials Research
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    • v.32 no.1
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    • pp.1-8
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    • 2022
  • In this investigation, Bi2MoO6 deposited graphene nanocomposite (BMG) was synthesized using a simple microwave assisted hydrothermal synthesis method. The synthesized BMG nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and photocurrent analysis. The study revealed that the catalysts prepared have high crystalline nature, enhanced light responsive property, high catalytic activity, and good stability. XRD results of BMG composite exhibit a koechlinite phase of Bi2MoO6. The surface property is shown by SEM and TEM, which confirmed a homogenous composition in the bulk particles of Bi2MoO6 and nanosheets of graphene. The catalytic behavior was investigated by the decomposition of Rhodamine B as a standard dye. The results exhibit excellent yields of product derivatives at mild conditions under ultrasonic/visible light-medium. Approximately 1.6-times-enhanced sono-photocatalytic activity was observed by introduction of Bi2MoO6 on graphene nanosheet compared with control sample P25 during 50 min test.