• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.446-452
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• 2012

The effect of heavy metals on seedling growth and pigment levels was studied in Arabidopsis using essential (Cu, Mn, and Zn) and non-essential metals (Pb and Hg). Generally increasing the concentrations of the metals resulted in a gradual decrease in root and shoot lengths, a decrease in chlorophylls, an increase in anthocyanins and a fluctuation in carotenoid content depending on the metal types. The toxicity of the metals decreased in the following order: Cu > Hg > Pb > Zn > Mn. Among the five metals, Cu was exceptionally toxic and the most potent inducer of anthocyanins. Pb induced the smallest quantity of anthocyanins but it was the strongest inducer of carotenoids. It suggests that the Cu-stressed Arabidopsis may use anthocyanins as its main antioxidants while the Pb-stressed Arabidopsis use carotenoids as its main protectants. All of the five metals induced an accumulation of anthocyanins. The consistent increase in anthocyanin content in the metal-stressed Arabidpsis indicates that anthocyanins play a major role in the protection against metal stresses.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.165-172
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• 2020

Heavy metals are common pollutants in the freshwater environment and have toxicological effect in habitat organisms. The heavy metals highly accumulated in sediment and organism, and observed various physiological responses. In this study, we investigated the molecular response to heavy metal toxicity (Al, Aluminum; Cr, Chromium; Cu, copper; Mn, Manganese; Zn, Zinc) through expression of heat shock protein 40, 70, 90 (HSP40, 70, 90), cytochrome 450 (CYP450), Glutathione S-transferase (GST) and Serine-type endopeptidase (SP). HSPs showed up-regulation in Cu and Zn exposures. Furthermore, HSPs expression in treated groups tended to be higher than the control group. The tendency of CYP450 and GST mRNA expression was higher for Cr and Cu than for other exposure group. The expression of SP gene was low at Al exposure and other group were measured to be similar to control. These results suggest that heavy metal toxicity in freshwater ecosystem may affect physiological and molecular process. Also, the comprehensive gene expression in the aquatic midge Chironomus riparius give useful information to potential molecular biomarkers for assessing heavy metal toxicity.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.644-650
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• 2016

In soil-to-plant transfer of heavy metals, the amount absorbed and accumulated varies depending on the environment conditions. The absorption rate of cadmium (Cd) in plants differs considerably depending on the bioavailability of Cd in the soil, while usage by various organic matters is also reported to affect absorption patterns. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the difference in the transfer of essential metal ions and Cd to various plant parts when rice straw compost was used to cultivate soybean (Glycine max L. cv. Daepung). In the two-leaf stage of soybean cultivated in a greenhouse, Cd was mixed in the soil, after which the Cd and essential metal ions contents, and physiological changes of soybean seedlings were studied on the 15th and 25th day. The Cd toxicity in the plant was reduced with the use of rice straw compost. Further, the Cd content varied with the plant part, and was higher in young leaves (3rd and 4th leaf) than in the stem. When analyzed by leaf age, the Cd transfer was highest in young leaves (3rd and 4th leaf), followed by mature leaves (1st and 2nd leaf). While there was no significant difference between plant tissues in the absorption rate of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) when rice straw compost was used against Cd toxicity, the absorption rate of manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) showed a significant decline in both the control and rice straw compost treatment conditions, as well as a significant difference between leaf ages. Therefore, these results confirm that the use of rice straw compost against Cd toxicity is effective, and implies that the rate of Cd transfer in the soybean plant varies significantly with leaf age.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2007

o-Nitrotoluene is used to synthesize artificial dyes and raw materials of urethane resin. In this study, we have carried out in vitro genetic toxicity tests and microarray analysis to understand the underlying mechanisms and the mode of action of toxicity of onitrotoluene. TA1535 and TA98 cells were treated with o-nitrotoluene to test its toxicity by basic genetic toxicity test. Ames and two new in vitro micronucleus and COMET assays were applied using CHO cells and L5178Y cells, respectively. In addition, microarray analysis of differentially expressed genes in L5178Y cells in response to o-nitrotoluene was analyzed using Affymatrix genechip. The result of Ames test was that o-nitrotoluene treatment did not increase the mutations both in base substitution strain TA1535 and in frame shift TA98. o-Nitrotoluene has not increased micronuclei in CHO cells. But onitrotoluene increased DNA damage in L5178Y cell. Two-hundred two genes were initially selected as differentially expressed genes in response to o-nitrotoluene by microarray analysis and forty four genes among them were over 2 times of log fold changed. These forty four genes could be candidate biomarkers of genetic toxic action of o-nitrotoluene related to induction of mutation and/or induction of micronuclei and DNA damage. Further confirmation of these candidate markers related to the DNA damage will be useful to understand the detailed mechanism of action of o-nitrotoluene.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2007

8-Hydroxyquinoline is used as antibacterial agent and antioxidant based on its function inducing the chelation of ferrous ion present in host resulting in production of chelated complex. This complex being transported to cell membrane of bacteria and fungi exerts antibacterial and antifungal action. In this study, we have carried out in vitro genetic toxicity tests and microarray analysis to understand the underlying mechanisms and the mode of action of toxicity of 8-hydroxyquinoline. TA1535 and TA98 cells were treated with 8-hydroxyquinoline to test its toxicity by basic genetic toxicity test, Ames and two new in vitro micronucleus and COMET assays were applied using CHO cells and L5178Y cells, respectively. In addition, microarray analysis of differentially expressed genes in L5178Y cells in response to 8-hydroxyquinoline were analyzed using Affymatrix genechip. The result of Ames test was that 8-hydroxyquinoline treatment increased the mutations in base substitution strain TA1535 and likewise, 8-hydroxyquinoline also increased mutations in frame shift TA98. 8-Hydroxyquinoline increased micronuclei in CHO cells and DNA damage in L5178Y. 8-Hdroxyquinoline resulted in positive response in all three tests showing its ability to induce not only mutation but also DNA damage. 783 Genes were initially selected as differentially expressed genes in response to 8-hydroxyquinoline by microarray analysis and 34 genes among them were over 4 times of log fold changed. These 34 genes could be candidate biomarkers of genetic toxic action of 8-hydroxyquinoline related to induction of mutation and/or induction of micronuclei and DNA damage. Further confirmation of these candidate markers related to their biological function will be useful to understand the detailed mode of action of 8-hydroxyquinoline.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.397-403
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• 2015

Heavy metals reduce the photosynthetic efficiency and disrupt metabolic reactions in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, by replacing the metal ions in metalloproteins that use essential metal ions, such as Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe, as co-factors, heavy metals ultimately lead to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These, in turn, cause destruction of the cell membrane through lipid peroxidation, and eventually cause the plant to necrosis. Given the aforementioned factors, this study was aimed to understand the physiological responses of rice to cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) toxicity and the effect of essential metal ions on homeostasis. In order to confirm the level of physiological inhibition caused by heavy metal toxicity, hydroponically grown rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Dongjin) plants were exposed with $0-50{\mu}M$ cadmium (Cd, $CdCl_2$) and arsenic (As, $NaAsO_2$) at 3-leaf stage, and then investigated malondialdehyde (MDA) contents after 7 days of the treatment. With increasing concentrations of Cd and As, the MDA content in leaf blade and root increased with a consistent trend. At 14 days after treatment with $30{\mu}M$ Cd and As, plant height showed no significant difference between Cd and As, with an identical reduction. However, As caused a greater decline than Cd for shoot fresh weight, dry weight, and water content. The largest amounts of Cd and As were found in the roots and also observed a large amount of transport to the leaf sheath. Interestingly, in terms of Cd transfer to the shoot parts of the plant, it was only transported to upper leaf blades, and we did not detect any Cd in lower leaf blades. However, As was transferred to a greater level in lower leaf blades than in upper leaf blades. In the roots, Cd inhibited Zn absorption, while As inhibited Cu uptake. Furthermore, in the leaf sheath, while Cd and As treatments caused no change in Cu homeostasis, they had an antagonist effect on the absorption of Zn. Finally, in both upper and lower leaf blades, Cd and As toxicity was found to inhibit absorption of both Cu and Zn. Based on these results, it would be considered that heavy metal toxicity causes an increase in lipid peroxidation. This, in turn, leads to damage to the conductive tissue connecting the roots, leaf sheath, and leaf blades, which results in a reduction in water content and causes several physiological alterations. Furthermore, by disrupting homeostasis of the essential metal ions, Cu and Zn, this causes complete heavy metal toxicity.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.99-110
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• 2009

Objectives : The current treatment regimens for patients with nephrotic syndrome due to membranous nephropathy(MN) are based on steroids or immunosuppressive therapy with the aim of reducing proteinuria and improving outcome. Although these treatments attenuate the deterioration of renal function in MN patients, it has been suggested that all are burdened by significant toxicity. Therefore, more specific and less toxic therapies are needed. This study was to evaluate the effects of Coptidis Rhizoma Extract(CRE) on the MN induced by cBSA in mice. Methods : Mice were divided into 4 groups. One group named for 'Normal' was injected with a saline solution not to be immunized. The rest groups were treated as follows; After mice were immunized with 0.2 mg of cBSA and Freund's complete adjuvant one time every two weeks for 6 weeks, they received intra-peritoneal injection of 10 mg/kg of cBSA daily for 4 weeks. Also, they were divided into 3 groups. The first named for 'Control' was not given CRE. The second for 'CRE-250' was given oral administration of 250 mg/kg of CRE daily for 4 weeks. The third for 'CRE-500' was given 500 mg/kg of CRE. All of mice were sacrificed 4 weeks after the first immunization. We measured a body weight and 24hrs proteinuria as well as serological analysis. The morphologic changes of renal glomeruli were also observed with a light microscope and an electron microscope. Results : The levels of 24 hrs proteinuria, triglyceride, IgG, IL-6 were significantly decreased in both CRE groups. And the level of IgM was significantly decreased in CRE-250 group. In histological findings of kidney tissue, thickening of GBM and deposition of electron-density were consideraly decreased in both CRE groups. Conclusions : The present study suggests that CRE is highly effective when treating mice with MN induced by cBSA. More clinical data and studies are to be done for efficient application.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.272-276
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• 2005

Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 was grown in BHIB medium supplemented with $Mn^{2+}$ for 96 h at $37^{\circ}C$ in a shaker incubator. After removing the microbial biomass, a lipopeptide biosurfactant was extracted from the supernatant. Its structure was established by chemical and spectroscopy methods. The structure was confirmed by physical properties, such as Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance (HLB), surface activity and erythrocyte hemolytic capacity. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) and erythrocyte hemolytic capacity of the biosurfactant were compared to those of surfactants such as SDS, BC (benzalkonium chloride), TTAB (tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide) and HTAB (hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide). The maximum hemolytic effect for all surfactants mentioned was observed at concentrations above cmc. The maximum hemolytic effect of synthetic surfactants was more than that of the biosurfactant produced by B. subtilis ATCC 6633. Therefore, biosurfactant would be considered a suitable surface-active agent due to low toxicity to the membrane.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.115-127
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• 1973

Leaf discoloration of IR667 lines (tropical) and leading locals (temperate) in fields was classified according to the probable causes and nutritional disorder due to soil reduction in 1972 was investigated. 1. The causes of leaf discoloration in IR667 were low air temperature, soil reduction, seed born, insect bite, nitrogen depression, overdose pesticide, strong wind, early senescence and unknown one. 2. Leaf discoloration due to soil reduction which has been called Sageumbyeong by famers, was caused by the heavy application of $Ca(OH)_2$, compost and poor drainage followed by Zn and K deficiency and Fe toxicity. 3. About 30 days after transplanting deficiency concentration of K and Zn in leaf blade appears to be less than 2.0% and 20ppm respectively, and greater than 200ppm, 500ppm, and 1.0% respectively for toxicity or excess of Fe, Mn and Ca. and in the shoot 2.4% for K, 30ppm for Zn and 800ppm for Fe. The value of K/Ca should be greaterthan 2.0 for health. 4. When plants were damaged by soil reduction the contents of N, P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Na in shoot were increased and those of K, Zn, Si were decreased. 5. IR667 lines show in shoot higher content of N, P, Ca, Mg, Si, Na, and lower content K, Zn, Fe, Mn and lower root activity than local leading varietles in either healthy or disieased case, indicating IR667 lines are likely more suseptible to soil reduction damage. 6. Normal soil was less than 6.5 of pH and greater than -50 mv of Eh, but pH of problem soil was ranged from 6.7 to 7.4 and Eh from -100 to -190. 7. The root activity (${\alpha}$-naphthylamine oxidation) decreased at early stage of soil redudtion damage, then increased with severity and at the end it decreased again, but IR667 lines showed always lower root activity than local ones.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.93-102
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• 2011

In this study, experiments on total digestion and sequential extraction were conducted in order to understand total metal contents, and mobility, bioavaliability and toxicity of metals in marine dredged sediment from Busan New Port. The total concentrations of arsenic and heavy metals in the dredged sediment were relatively low as follows: Al (2.36~2.96 wt.%), As (1.6~3.3 mg/kg), Ba (30.0~33.8 mg/kg), Cd (0.12~0.18 mg/kg), Cr (27.5~35.0 mg/kg), Cu (11.3~15.0 mg/kg), Fe (2.91~3.51 wt.%), Mn (324~408 mg/kg), Ni (18.8~23.8 mg/kg), Pb (23.8~31.3 mg/kg), and Zn (70.0~86.3 mg/kg). In addition, it was found that most of Al (87.5~95.9%), As (74.1~93.8%), Ba (71.8~77.6%), Cr (69.5~94.3%), Cu (50.0~78.7%), Fe (70.8~87.6%), Ni (64.5~75.3%), Pb (53.4~64.3%), and Zn (62.5~81.7%) existed in the residual fraction, meaning that those elements might come from natural sources. On the other hand, Cd and Mn were present mainly in the non-residual fraction. Due to low concentrations of toxic heavy metals and high percentage of residual fraction, it could be possible to reuse the dredged sediment for bricks, pavement base material, etc.