• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.193-200
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• 2011

Objectives: Blood lead and hyperhomocysteinemia have been found to be associated with cardiovascular disease. The objective of the present study was to assess the relationship of lead biomarkers on plasma homocysteine and blood pressure. Methods: To evaluate the effect of lead biomarkers including blood lead on plasma homocysteine and blood pressure in retired lead workers, 66 retired lead workers without any occupational exposure to organic solvent, mercury and arsenic were agreed to participate this study. For the control subjects 42 controls were recruited from same area of retired lead workers with consideration of demographic characteristics. Results: The mean levels of blood lead and ZPP of retired lead workers were significantly higher than control group. There were positive significant correlations between blood lead and plasma homocysteine, also systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The multiple linear regression analysis also reveled that plasma homocysteine was significantly associated with blood lead after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, lead exposure, smoking and drinking. Diastolic blood pressure was significantly associated with blood lead, plasma homocysteine, and total cholesterol; whereas, systolic blood pressure was significantly associated with plasma homocysteine only. Conclusions: Blood lead showed significant association with plasma homocysteine and blood pressure even after more than mean 10 years from their retirements.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.670-678
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• 2017

Persimmon seeds contain considerable amounts of minerals, amino and organic acids, natural antioxidants and phenolic compounds. The objective of this study was to investigate quality characteristics and antioxidant potential of Korean persimmon seeds. The pH (4.88-4.94), color values, contents of minerals, free amino acids, organic acids, and phenolic compounds and DPPH free radical scavenging potentials of persimmon seed extracts significantly (p < 0.05) varied with the genotypes. This study showed that the seeds could be used as a source of different mineral elements (47.14-85.07 mg/kg) without any measureable amount of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. Similarly, considerable amounts of organic (1550.13-2413.08 mg/kg) and essential amino (50.85-54.03 mg/kg) acids and total phenolic compounds ($1227.91-1307.78{\mu}g$ gallic acid equivalent/g) were also found in the seed extracts, indicating their potential food value as a natural antioxidant. Results of the present study imply that prethanol-A, a food preservative, can be used as an effective extraction to obtain the minerals, organic and free amino acids, and phenolic compounds from the persimmon seeds, which possess a big potential to be commercially used in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.261-269
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• 2004

Although the biological functions of metallothioneins (MTs) are still being investigated, they have been suggested to be involved in detoxification of heavy metals, scavenging of free radicals, and protection against alkylating agents. MTs have been reported to be induced in most of animal tissues by heavy metals such as zinc, copper, mercury and cadmium, and the proteins have binding affinities to the metals. However, the presence or induction of MTs was reported not to be clear in leydig cells, which produce testosterone for the maturation of spermatozoa in male testes. In this study, we investigated the inducibility of metallothionein isomers by cadmium in cultured mouse leydig cells. Total RNA was extracted from the near confluent grown leydig cells and RT-PCR was Performed using the Primers which were synthesized on the basis of MT-1, 2, 3 and 4 cDNA from GenBank database. As results, MT-1 and MT-2 mRNA were found to be expressed in cadmium non-treated control cells and MT 1 mRNA expression was dose-dependent when leydig cells were treated with cadmium chloride. But MT-3 which is known to be brain specific and MT-4 which is another isoform of metallothionein, were not expressed. Other genes induced or depressed in cadmium treated leydig cells were also identified by microarray techniques.

• 보존과학연구
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• s.24
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• pp.215-227
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• 2003

The gilt-bronze Sarira Reliquary was discovered when repairing three-stories east stone pagoda (Treasure No. 395) at Seungju-eup in Suncheon city in Jeollanam-do Province in August, 1986. Then it was appointed as Treasure in 1988. The Sarira Reliquary had been held in Seonamsa temple, but deterioration on the surface and corrosion had appeared affecting its surface detail. Consequently, the conservation treatment was carried out from November 2002 to March 2003.The corrosion and dirt on the surface of the Sarira Reliquary were cleaned with ethyl alcohol and Benzotriazole was applied to prevent further corrosion. Finally, NAD-10(Paraloid NAD-10), acrylic resin, was used to consolidate the structure. Moreover, after non-destructive analysis to confirm element of alloy, copper, gold, silver and mercury were discovered and this result tells us that it was plated with gold by amalgam. Fibers at the pedestal were examined under the microscope and identified as silk. The total height of this Sarira Reliquary is 6.0cm, the height of lotus pedestal and the roof is 2.7cm and 1.8cm, respectively. The roof and body are joined together, and the lotus pedestal can be separated, on which the octagonal reliquary is impaled. The pedestal consists of 3layers of petals and the surface is decorated with flower pattern. The reliquary is presumed to be created in the 14th century, and it becomes valuable historical material to reveal the secret of metal work in the late Goryeo Dynasty.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2016

This study evaluated the fertilizing value of struvite deposit recovered from swine wastewater in cultivating lettuce. Struvite deposit was compared to complex fertilizer, organic fertilizer and compost to evaluate the fertilizing effect of struvite deposit. Laboratory pot test showed that the struvite deposit better enhanced lettuce growth in comparison to commercial fertilizers. It was revealed that the growth rate of lettuce was simultaneously controlled by phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg). Moreover, nutrients such as nitrogen (N), P, K, calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were abundantly observed in the vegetable tissue of struvite pot. Meanwhile, struvite application led to the lower accumulation of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), chromium ($Cr^{6+}$) and nickel (Ni). In addition, no detection of cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and nickel (Ni) in the lettuce tissue was observed in struvite application pots. The experimental results proved that the optimum struvite dosage for lettuce cultivation was 0.5 g struvite/kg soil. The column experiments clearly showed that ammonia nitrogen was more slowly released from struvite deposit than from complex fertilizer. Consequently, it was concluded that the struvite deposits recovered from swine wastewater were effective as a multi-nutrient fertilizer for lettuce cultivation.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.176-182
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• 1985

As a part of the studies on adsorptive properties of Korean halloysite clays, Hadong white clays of premium grade were examined for geometric pore structured by mercury porosimetry and for specific surface areas by nitrogen adsorption according to the BET procedure. Three size fractions of the native clay sample were derived from passage BS #100, #200 and #325 meshes, respectively. Several parameters lhus observed in relation to the pore structures are shown below: 1. The size fraction of BS #100, #200 and #325 show internal pore volumes of 25.3, 30.2 and $35.0m^2g^{-1}$, respectively. 2. In the distribution curves of the cumulative pore volume against pore diameter, it has been shown that the larticle sizes, the steeper the distribution over the larger ranges of pore diameters. The converse is true the smaller particles. 3. Internal pore areas increase with decrease in pore sizes. It follows that the pores having diameters of $\leq$0.1$\mu\textrm{m}$ are responsible for more than 90% of the total pore area. 4. The behaviour of nitrogen adsorption can be best described by BET type IV isotherm. Further, the hysteresis loops of the adsorptiondesorption curves become narrower with decresing particle sizes. 5. The specific surface areas observed for the fractions of BS #100, BS #200 and BS #325 are 34.6, 35.4 and 43.2m $^2g^{-1}$, respectively. and the calcined clay of BS #325 has a specific surface area near $30.4m^2g^{-1}$.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.543-551
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• 2019

In China, serious environmental problems are induced by the extremely soft construction waste slurries in many urban areas, and there is no appropriate method to treat it presently. In this paper, four model tests were conducted to investigate the efficiency of waste slurry treatment by combining three conditioning agents which can change characteristics of the slurries with a traditional vacuum preloading method. The tests of size analysis of particle aggregate were conducted to investigate the influence of different conditioning agents on the size distributions of particle aggregate. During the model test, the discharged water volumes were monitored. The pore-size distribution and void ratio of the waste slurries after the vacuum preloading were measured by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). It is found that 1) During the natural precipitation, volume of water out of the organic agent is higher than that of the mixed agent, but it is smaller than that of the mixed agent in the vacuum preloading stage; 2) the mixed agent has a higher total volume of water out than the organic agent and the inorganic agent after test, while the organic agent and the inorganic agent have little difference with respect to the drainage effect. The results demonstrate that the combination of mixed conditioning agent and vacuum preloading for the solid-liquid separation in waste slurry has a satisfactory effect and can be applied in engineering practice.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.229-235
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• 2011

Objectives: In this study, we summarized the External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) for the biological monitoring of occupational exposure to toxic chemicals which started in 1995 and continued until a $31^{st}$ round robin in the spring of 2010. The program was performed twice per year until 2009, and this was changed to once a year since 2010. The objective of the program is to ensure the reliability of the data related to biological monitoring from analytical laboratories. Methods: One hundred and eighteen laboratories participated in the $31^{st}$ round robin. The program offers 5 items for inorganic analysis: lead in blood, cadmium in blood, manganese in blood, cadmium in urine, and mercury in urine. It also offers 10 items for organic analysis, including hippuric acid, methylhippuric acid, mandelic acid, phenylglyoxylic acid, N-methylformamide, N-methylacetamide, trichloroacetic acid, total trichloro-compounds, trans,trans-muconic acid, and 2,5-hexanedione in urine. Target values were determined by statistical analysis using consensus values. All the data, such as chromatograms and calibration curves, were reviewed by the committee. Results: The proficiency rate was below 70% prior to the first round robin and improved to over 90% for common items, such as PbB and HA, while those for other items still remained in the range of 60-90% and need to be improved up to 90%. Conclusion: The EQAS has taken a primary role in improving the reliability of analytical data. A total quality assurance scheme is suggested, including the validation of technical documentation for the whole analytical procedure.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.343-351
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• 2017

Sanitary evaluation of seawater and Pyropia sp. laver collected from the five major laver growing areas in Korea was performed four times over the course of a year. The seawater quality in four of these five areas was regarded as the clean area according to Korean criteria, but the seawater at one investigation site in Seoheon area was found to exceed the standard for fecal coliform. In the bacteriological safety analysis of laver (raw source), the percentages of samples not conforming to Chinese criteria at the five sites were 55.6% (Seocheon), 70.0% (Shinan), 81.8% [Jindo (Haenam)], 63.6% (Wando), and 28.6% [Goheung (Jangheung)]. Pathogenic bacteria were not detected in all laver samples. The food safety of laver (raw source) based on heavy metal concentration was confirmed using Korean criteria; the concentrations of heavy metals in laver samples collected from the major laver growing areas were 0.008-0.632 mg/kg wet weight (ww) lead, 0.024-0.137 mg/kg ww cadmium, 0.908-2.892 mg/kg ww total arsenic, and 0.003-0.013 mg/kg ww total mercury. Therefore, pollution source management and periodic monitoring of heavy metals may be required to improve the food safety of laver produced in these laver growing areas.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.43-58
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• 1978

Heavy metal treatment on the fertilized frog eggs before the first cleavage results in a quantitative alteration in the number of PGCs. The formation of PGCs is inhibited by a limited range of heavy metal during the early embryonic development. Total doses of lead above 70ppm and doses of cadmium above 4ppm result in a partial reduction of germ cells at the mitotically dormant stage. After this stage the germ cell number increases almost at the same rate as the untreated control tadpoles. In contrast, on mercury treated eggs, total doses above 0.8ppm cause more damage to germ cell formation. Their proliferation rate thereafter seems to be lower compared with the others. These facts seem to suggest that the heavy metal treatment on frog eggs prior to the first cleavage division is not highly effective in the complete elimination of PGCs in constrast with UV irradiation, even though cytolysis of the tissue occurs in the tadpoles.