• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.17-21
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• 2012

Objectives: Asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) have increased globally over the decades, causing an economic burden and increased health care costs. It is difficult to predict the risk of development of ARDs and of respiratory disability among workers with a history of asbestos exposure. Blood based biomarkers have been reported as promising tools for the early detection of malignant mesothelioma. This study investigated whether serum soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP) would reflect severity of disablement in compensable ARDs. Methods: SMRP levels were measured in a cohort of 514 asbestos-exposed subjects. Severity of ARDs was assessed by a Medical Authority comprising four specially qualified respiratory physicians. Severity of ARDs and SMRP levels were compared. Results: Mean (standard deviation) serum SMRP level in the population with compensable ARDs (n = 150) was 0.95 (0.65) nmol/L, and was positively associated with disability assessment (p = 0.01). Mean SMRP level in healthy asbestos-exposed subjects was significantly lower than those with pleural plaques (p < 0.0001) and in subjects with ARDs who received compensation (p < 0.01). Conclusion: This study indicates that serum SMRP levels correlate with severity of compensable ARDs. Serum SMRP could potentially be applied to monitor progress of ARDs. Further prospective work is needed to confirm the relationship between SMRP and disability assessment in this population.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제1권3호
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• pp.149-156
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• 2005

Di (n-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is thought to mimic estrogens in their action, and are called endocrine disrupting chemicals. DEHP is used in numerous consumer products, especially those made of flexible polyvinyl chloride and have been reported to be weakly estrogenic. In this study, DEHP were tested for estrogenic properties in vitro models and with microarray analysis. First, the E-screen assay was used to measure the proliferation of DEHP in MCF-7 cells, a human breast cancer cell line. DEHP induced an increase in MCF-7 cell proliferation at concentration of $10^{-4}M$. Second, we carried out a microarray analysis of MCF-7 cells treated with DEHP using human c-DNA microarray including 401 endocrine system related genes. Of the genes analyzed, 60 genes were identified showing significant changes in gene expression resulting from DEHP. Especially, 4 genes were repressed and 4 genes were induced by DEHP compared to $17{\beta}-estradiol$. Among these genes, trefoil factor 3 (intestinal), breast cancer 1, early onset and CYP1B1 are involved in estrogen metabolism and regulation. Therefore it suggests that these genes may be associated with estrogenic effect of the DEHP on transcriptional level. The rationale is that, as gene expression is a sensitive endpoint, alterations of these genes may act as useful biomarkers to define more precisely the nature and level of exposure to kinds of phthalates.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권16호
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• pp.6955-6960
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• 2014

Background: The cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay is a standard cytogenetic tool employed to evaluate chromosomal damage subsequent to pesticide exposure. Objectives: To evaluate the pooled levels of total micronuclei (MN) and binucleated cells with micronuclei (MNC) in 1000 binucleated lymphocytes among population occupationally exposed to pesticides and further determine the more sensitive biomarker of CBMN. Materials and Methods: A meta-analysis on the pooled levels of MN and MNC in binucleated lymphocytes among occupationally pesticide-exposed populations was conducted using STATA 10.0 software and Review Manager 5.0.24 in this study. Results: We found significant differences in frequencies of MN and MNC in 1000 binucleated lymphocytes between pesticide-exposed groups and controls, and the summary estimates of weighted mean difference were 6.82 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 4.86-8.78] and 5.08 (95% CI: 2.93-7.23), respectively. However, when we conducted sensitivity analyses further, only the MN remained statistically different, but not the MNC, the summary estimates of weight mean difference were 2.86 (95% CI: 2.51-3.21) and 0.50 (95% CI: -0.16-1.17), respectively. We also observed pesticide-exposed subjects had significantly higher MN frequencies than controls among smokers and nonsmokers, male and female populations, and American, Asian and European countries in stratified analyses. Conclusions: The frequency of MN in peripheral blood lymphocytes might be a more sensitive indicator of early genetic effects than MNC using the CBMN assay for occupationally pesticide-exposed populations.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.187-193
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• 2015

Deleterious effects of high dose radiation exposure with high-dose-rate are unarguable, but they are still controversial in low-dose-rate. The regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) is a negative regulator of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. In addition, it is reported that irradiation stress led to GPCR-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphotidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-k) signaling. The RGS mRNA expression profiles by whole body radiation with low-dose-rate has not yet been explored. In the present study, we, therefore, examined which RGS was modulated by the whole body radiation with low-dose-rate ($3.49mGy{\cdot}h^{-1}$). Among 16 RGS expression tested, RGS6, RGS13 and RGS16 mRNA were down-regulated by low-dose-rate irradiation. This is the first report that whole body radiation with low-dose-rate can modulate the different RGS expression levels. These results are expected to reveal the potential target and/or the biomarker proteins associated with male testis toxicity induced by low-dose-rate irradiation, which might contribute to understanding the mechanism beyond the testis toxicity.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제14권6호
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• pp.3114-3119
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• 2013

망그로브 생태계는 수생태계로 유입되는 중금속을 받아들이는 기능을 가지고 있다. 중금속에 오염된 퇴적물에 노출됨에도 불구하고 망그로브는 중금속에 내성을 가지고 있다. 이 연구에서 우리는 망그로브로부터 중금속 저항성 관련 유전자를 클로닝하고, 중금속 노출에 유전자 발현 변화를 분석하였다. 미크로네시아 축라군의 웨노섬에서 채취한 Rhizophora stylosa의 잎과 뿌리조직으로부터 CTAB 방법을 이용하여 RNA를 분리하였고, gene specific primers를 이용하여 phytochelatin synthase 1(PCS1) 유전자를 클로닝하였다. R. stylosa 태생종자를 100 ppb의 Cd과 10 ppb의 Cu에 노출하였을 때 각각 1.91배 및 2.72배 발현이 증가하였다. 이러한 결과는 PCS1 유전자의 발현분석이 망그로브 생태계의 건강성을 평가하기 위한 좋은 도구가 될 수 있음을 나타낸다.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제22권5호
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• pp.398-404
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• 2014

Salt stress is one of the major abiotic stresses affecting the yield of ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer). The objective of this study was to identify bio-marker, which is early responsive in salt stress in ginseng, using proteomics approach. Ginseng plants were exposed to 5 ds/m salt concentration and samples were harvested at 0, 6, 12 and 18 hours after exposure. Total proteins were extracted from ginseng leaves treated with salt stress using Mg/NP-40 buffer and were separated on high resolution 2-DE. Approximately $1003{\pm}240$ (0 h), $992{\pm}166$ (6 h), $1051{\pm}51$ (12 h) and $990{\pm}160$ (18 h) spots were detected in colloidal CBB stained 2D maps. Among these, 8 spots were differentially expressed and were identified by using MALDI-TOF/TOF MS or/and LC-MS/MS. Ethylene response sensor-1 (spot GL 1), nucleotide binding protein (spot GL 2), carbonic anhydrase-1 (spot GL 3), thylakoid lumenal 17.9 kDa protein (spot GL 4) and Chlorophyll a/b binding protein (spot GL 5, GL 6) were up-regulated at the 12 and 18 hour, while RuBisCO activase B (spot GL 7) and DNA helicase (spot GL 8) were down-regulated. Thus, we suggest that these proteins might participate in the early response to salt stress in ginseng leaves.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.317-322
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• 2003

Cytogenetic and hematological analysis was performed in peripheral blood from the Korean native goat bred in the nuclear power plant (Wolsong and Uljin) and control area. The frequency of micronuclei (MN) in peripheral blood lymphocytes from goat was used as a biomarker of radiobiological effects resulting from exposure to environmental radiation. An estimated dose of radiation was calculated by best fitting linear-quadratic model based on the radiation-induced MN data over the range from 0 to 4 Gy from the goat lymphocytes with in vitro irradiation. MN rates in goats from the Wolsong and Uljin nuclear power plant, and control area were 9.60/1000, 6.83/1000 and 9.88/1000, respectively. There were no significant differences in MN frequencies and hematological values in goats between nuclear power plant and control area. High level of platelet in the goat from Uljin nuclear power plant was observed, which seemed to be related to the goat management.

• 생태와환경
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• 제41권1호
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• pp.81-89
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• 2008

우리나라 연안의 저서성 요각류 Tigriopus japonicus s.l.를 대상으로 내분비계 교란물질인 4-nonylphenol에 대한 생태독성 반응을 연구한 결과, 4NP는 $30{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$이하에서는 농도에 관계없이 생존율에는 영향을 주지 않았으며, 포란율, 부화율 등 생식 능력의 저하 현상 역시 찾아 볼 수 없었다. 그러나 노출된 T. japonicus s.l. nauplius 유생과 copepodite 유생은 모든 농도에서 대조군보다 성장이 지연되는 것으로 나타났으며, 처리 농도가 높아질수록 개체의 크기와 생체량이 줄어드는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 DEG를 이용한 유전자 발현의 차이를 확인하여 biomarker로서 가능성을 지닌 유전자를 확인해 볼 수 있었다. 추후 형태학적 연구와 분자생물학적인 연구를 계속 진행하여 생태계 평가를 할 수 있는 실질적인 생체지표 개발을 할 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.211-219
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• 2024

Background: Recently, plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PDENs) have been isolated, and active research was focusing on understanding their properties and functions. In this study, the characteristics and molecular properties of ginseng root-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (GrDENs) were examined in terms of skin protection. Methods: HPLC-MS protocols were used to analyze the ginsenoside contents in GrDENs. To investigate the beneficial effect of GrDENs on skin, HaCaT cells were pre-treated with GrDENs (0-2 × 10⁹ particles/mL), and followed by UVB irradiation or H₂O₂ exposure. In addition, the antioxidant activity of GrDENs was measured using a fluorescence microscope or flow cytometry. Finally, molecular mechanisms were examined with immunoblotting analysis. Results: GrDENs contained detectable levels of ginsenosides (Re, Rg1, Rb1, Rf, Rg2 (S), Gyp17, Rd, C-Mc1, C-O, and F2). In UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells, GrDENs protected cells from death and reduced ROS production. GrDENs downregulated the mRNA expression of proapoptotic genes, including BAX, caspase-1, -3, -6, -7, and -8 and the ratio of cleaved caspase-8, -9, and -3 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, GrDENs reduced the mRNA levels of aging-related genes (MMP2 and 3), proinflammatory genes (COX-2 and IL-6), and cellular senescence biomarker p21, possibly by suppressing activator protein-1 signaling. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the protective effects of GrDENs against skin damage caused by UV and oxidative stress, providing new insights into beneficial uses of ginseng. In particular, our results suggest GrDENs as a potential active ingredient in cosmeceuticals to promote skin health.

• 한국응용곤충학회지
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.97-108
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• 2005

경북 안동지역의 10개 하천 및 하천 주변으로부터 2004년 5월에 물, 토양, 퇴적물의 시료를 채취하였다. 이들 지역의 환경오염 수준을 평가하기 위해 표준공정시험법이나 U.S. EPA 법을 이용하여 시료 중의 총질소, 총인, 화학적 산소요구량, 중금속, 유기인 및 유기염소계 잔류농약, 그리고 dioxin-like PCBs 등의 오염물질의 분석을 실시하였으며, 이와 더불어 파밤나방(Spodoptera exigua)을 이용한 면역교란의 생체지표 분석을 병행하였다. 일반적으로 총질소가 9.12 mg/L 수준의 와야천을 제외하고는, 각 하천 중의 총질소, 총인, 화학적 산소요구량은 환경부에서 정한 허용기준치보다는 비교적 낮았다. 각 하천 시료 중의 납과 카드뮴의 함량은 허용 기준보다도 매우 낮았지만, 하천에 따라 차이가 있어서 미천, 길안천, 현하천의 납과 카드뮴 함유량은 다른 하천의 시료들에 비해서 몇 배 이상 높게 검출되었다. 잔류농약은 미천 주변의 토양에서 유기인계 살충제인 다이아지논, 파라치온, 그리고 펜토에이트가 0.19, 0.40, $1.13\;{\mu}g/g$ 농도로 검출되었다. 반면에 내분비계 교란물질로 알려져 있는 16종의 유기염소계 농약과 12종의 dioxin-like PCB congeners는 검출한계 미만으로는 확인할 수 없었다. 그러나 와야천의 시료에 대한 곤충면역 교란효과를 고려해 볼 때, 이 하천의 수질과 주변의 토양이 조사한 오염원 이외의 화합물에 오염되어 있을 가능성을 제시해 준다. 이상의 분석 결과를 토대로 화학적 및 생물학적 검정 기술의 제약점과 상호 보완성이 기술되었다.