• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.437-443
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• 2002

A number of soil and wastewater samples were collected from the vicinity of an effluent treatment plant for the chemical industry. Several microorganisms were screened fur their ability to decolorize the triphenylmethane group of dyes. As a result, a novel crystal violet dye-degrading strain LK-24 was isolated. Taxonomic identification including 16S rDNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the isolate had a $99.5\%$ homology in its 16S rDNA base sequence with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The triphenylmethane dye, crystal violet, was degraded extensively by growing cells of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia LK-24 in agitated liquid cultures, although their growth was strongly inhibited in the initial stage of incubation. This group of dyes is toxic, depending on the concentration used. The dye was significantly degraded at a relatively lower concentration, below $100{\mu}g\;ml^-1$, yet the growth of the cells was totally suppressed at a dye concentration of $250{\mu}g\;ml^-1$. The degradation products of crystal violet were identified as 4,4'-bis(dimethylamino)-benzophenone and ${\rho}$-dimethylaminophenol by Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry. The 4,4'-bis(dimethylamino)-benzophenone was easily obtained in a reasonable yield, as it was not metabolized further by S. maltophilia LK-24; however, the ${\rho}$-dimethylaminophenol was not easily identifiable, as it was further metabolized.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.287-292
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• 2002

Lignin-peroxidase (LiP) has been considered as one of the most important industrial enzymes for biodegradation of various recalcitrant toxic compounds such as chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons and azo-dyes. Recently, several soil actinomycetes have been reported to secrete a functionally-similar lignin-peroxidase called actinomycetes lig-nin-peroxidase (ALiP). In this manuscript, we isolated over 100 morphologically distinct actinomycetes from the contaminated soils around 10 different gas stations located nearby the Kyung-An river. Among these actinomycetes screened based on the congo-red dye-decolorization activities, one newly-isolated actinomycetes named SMA-2 showed the most significant dye-decoloring activity on the congo-red plate as well as a significant ALiP activity in a yeast-extract-malt-extract liquid media supplemented with starch. The optimum SMA-2 culture condition fur ALiP production was determined and the kinetic parameters fur the SMA-2 AkIP activity were characterized. The optimally-cultured SMA-2 also exhibited the oxidation activities toward various recalcitrant aromatic compounds including phenol, 2- chlorophenol, 4- chlorophenol, 2,4- dichlorophenol ,2,6- dichlorophenol, and 2,4, f-trichlorophe - not, suggesting a potential application of SMA-2 for contaminated soil bioremediation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.529-534
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• 2002

Interstitial pneumonia is a heterogenous group of inflammatory and fibrosing lesions that manifest themselves as infiltrative lung disease. Of these, nonspecific interstitial pneumonia is characterized as a variable degree of interstitial inflammation with or without fibrosis and is distinguished from usual interstitial pneumonia and desquamative interstitial pneumonia, histologically. The influx of inflammatory cells and the responses of immune effector cells injury to the alveolar wall and these initial injuries results in alveolitis and fibrosis. Consequently, the gas exchange throughout the alveolar wall is impaired and the patients suffer from lung diseases of a restrictive pattern. The chief complaints represented are dyspnea and dry cough. We experienced a case of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia in a 10-year old girl. The patient had been healthy and had not been exposed to organic dusts or other toxic materials. The pathology of lung biopsy tissue showed that the alveoli were thickened by a mixture of chronic inflammatory cells and collagen type fibrosis. High resolution computed tomography(HRCT) found the patchy areas of ground-glass opacity with patchy consolidation and irregular reticular opacity, and diffuse distribution without zonal predominance. The forced vital capicity(FVC) was 31%, forced expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$) 29% and $FEV_1/FVC$ 90%, so a restrictive pulmonary insufficiency was found.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.212-219
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• 2009

Emission characteristics of air pollutants from three commercially operating cement kilns co-burning waste were investigated. The major heavy metals emitted were mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) Removal efficiency of the bag filter was above 98.5% for heavy metals (except Hg), and above 60% for Hg. Higher fractions of heavy metals entering the bag filter were speciated to cement kiln dust. On average, 3.3% of the -heavy metals of medium and low toxicity (Pb, Ni, and Cr) entering the bag filter were released into the atmosphere. Among highly toxic heavy metals, 0.14% of Cd, 0.01% of As, and 40% of Hg entering the bag filter were released into the atmosphere. In passing through the bag filter, the proportion of oxidized Hg in all cases increased. Emission variations of hazardous air pollutants in cement kilns tested were related to raw materials, fuel, waste feed and operating conditions. Volatile organic compounds detected in gas emissions were toluene, acrylonitrile benzene, styrene, 1,3-butadiene, and methylene chloride. Although hazardous air pollutants in emissions from cement kilns co-burning waste were within the existing emission limit, efforts are required to minimize their levels.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.651-654
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• 2016

A number of accidents relating to highly toxic hydrogen fluoride (HF) or hydrofluoric acid (HA) release have occurred over fast few decades in Korea. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the fluoride (F) concentrations in paddy soil and brown rice from 2 different areas where the soils were exposed to HF and HA. In the first case, the HF leakage accident that occurred in 2012 affected the surrounding soils and crops and consequently, crops (rice) affected by HF were unavailable for forage even though F did not accumulate in the soil. For example, at the time of accident, F concentrations in brown rice samples were $33.0-1,395mg\;kg^{-1}$, while F concentrations in soil samples were $155-295mg\;kg^{-1}$ which were less than the Korean standard guideline values of $400mg\;kg^{-1}$. However, after a year, F concentrations in brown rice were observed below the detection limit ($1mg\;kg^{-1}$), although F concentrations in soils were similar with those in 2012. Also, large amounts of wastewater discharges containing HA occurred in 2013 and some agricultural soils exceeded the Korean standard guideline values for F ($400mg\;kg^{-1}$), but soil-plant F transfer was not observed. In conclusion, it was observed that soil to plant transfer of F is unlikely although HF and HA as gas or liquid form can cause direct damage to plants.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.113-121
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• 2017

In flight particulate matter particularly emissions generated by incomplete combustion processes has become a subject of global concern due to the health problems and environmental impacts associated with them. This has compelled most countries to set standards for coarse and fine particles due to their conspicuous impacts on environment and public health. This contribution therefore explores forest fire emissions and how its particulates affects air quality, damage to vegetation, water bodies and biological functions as architects for lung diseases and other degenerative illnesses such as oxidative stress and aging. Soot was collected from simulated forest fire using a clean glass surface and carefully transferred into amber vials for analysis. Volatile components of soot were collected over 10 mL dichloromethane and analyzed using a QTOF Premier-Water Corp Liquid Chromatography hyphenated to a mass selective detector (MSD), and Gas Chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). To characterize the size and surface morphology of soot, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used. The characterization of molecular volatiles from simulated forest fire emissions revealed long chain compounds including octadec-9-enoic acid, octadec-6-enoic acid, cyclotetracosane, cyclotetradecane, and a few aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene and naphthalene). Special classes of organics (dibenzo-p-dioxin and 2H-benzopyran) were also detected as minor products. Dibenzo-p-dioxin for instance in chlorinated form is one of the deadliest environmental organic toxins. The average particulate size of emissions using SEM was found to be $11.51{\pm}4.91{\mu}m$. This study has shown that most of the emissions from simulated forest fire fall within $PM_{10}$ particulate size. The molecular by-products of forest fire and particulate emissions may be toxic to both human and natural ecosystems, and are possible precursors for various respiratory ailments and cancers. The burning of a forest by natural disasters or man-made fires results in the destruction of natural habitats and serious air pollution.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.343-359
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• 2016

Objective:In this study, we designed working clothes for livestock farmers to wear in spring and autumn to improve their work efficiency, conducted a physiological test on their performance, and evaluated their comfort. Background: In recent years, livestock farming in Korea has expanded, yet farmers' safety and sanitation levels remain low in hazardous environments that include organic dust, toxic gas, and heat stress, as well as the risk of accidents. Furthermore, most livestock farmers wear ordinary or dust-resistant clothes that are unsuitable for rearing livestock and compromise their safety and health. Thus, it is important to design specialized working clothes for livestock farmers that are comfortable and that minimize their health and safety risks. Method: To this end, we examined the literature on livestock (poultry, swine, and cattle) farmers' safety and sanitation issues, designed appropriate working clothes, and tested them in terms of sensory feel, physiological response, and subjective comfort. Results: The respondents expressed satisfaction with the new working clothes. The results of a physiological test showed a decline in temperature and humidity inside the clothes, a lower pulse rate, and a lower oxygen intake compared to the measurements taken when famers wore their previous working clothes. This indicates a fall in heat stress and fatigue, which was mostly consistent with the results of the assessment of subjective comfort. Conclusion: The results of the analysis show an improvement in the comfort of the new working clothes compared to the dust-resistant clothes that are widely worn. Based on this study, the new working clothes need to be further tested and evaluated to improve the design. Application: This study is expected to contribute to designing better working clothes for livestock farmers.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.255-263
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• 2012

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of brominated flame retardants (BFRs), which are used in a variety of consumer products. Several of those are produced in large quantities. Their chemical structure similarities to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as well as their toxicity, has been studied. PBDEs are persistent and lipophilic, which results in their bioaccumulation in the fatty tissues of organisms and enrichment throughout food chains. In addition, a number of studies also reported high levels of PBDEs in animals and food resulting from the use of contaminated animal feed Public concern about PBDEs levels in animals and food has been raised. Feed contamination by toxic chemicals has been the cause of the contamination of poultry products. The purpose of this study was to evaluate PBDEs in pig feed to search the origin chase of POPs in pigs. Feed samples were obtained wheat from East Europe, corn from South America and America, soybean meal from Korea, America, South America and India and tallow from Korea. The preparation of samples was based on the EPA method 1614. Instrumental analysis was based on the use of high resolution gas chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). Quantification was carried out by the isotopic dilution method. The analysis of ${\Sigma}PBDEs$ involved 22 PBDE congeners, including BDE-17, 28, 47, 49, 66, 71, 77, 85, 99, 100, 119, 126, 138, 153, 154, 156, 183, 184, 190, 191, 196 and 197.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 2012

Dioxins are chemical substances that are not properly decomposed degradation under natural photochemical, biological and chemical conditions in the environment, and bio-accumulate through the food chain, so pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. Ninety seven percent of human exposure to dioxins comes through meat, fish, dairy consumption and so on. Pork is the largest proportion meat aspect of daily intake in the Korean food. Pigs are three times more than Cattle in terms of breeding population and production amount in the world, and the amount is increasing every year. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the exposure level of dioxins in pig's body. Also, it is required to evaluate the presence of these chemical substances in the pig's feed grain such as corn, soybeans, and tallow. The purpose of this study was to evaluate PCDD/Fs in pig's feed to search the origin of PCDD/Fs. Feed samples obtained were wheat from East Europe, corn from South America and America, soybean meal from Korea, America, South America and India and tallow from Korea. The preparation of samples was based on the EPA method 1613. Instrumental analysis was based on the use of high resolution gas chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). The concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and 1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD), which are the most toxic potent dioxins, were not observed in any of the samples. However OCDD was detected in most of the samples. The TEQs in the feed samples were ranged from 0 pg TEQ/g to 0.09841 pg TEQ/g. Especially, the high level of TEQs was observed in the samples of wheat from East Europe and soybean meal from Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7663-7670
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• 2015

DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is a relatively large protein family responsible for maintenance of normal methylation, cell growth and survival in mammals. Toxic industrial chemical exposure associated methylation misregulation has been shown to have epigenetic influence. Such misregulation could effectively contribute to cancer development and progression. Methyl isocyanate (MIC) is a noxious industrial chemical used extensively in the production of carbamate pesticides. We here applied an in silico molecular docking approach to study the interaction of MIC with diverse domains of DNMT1, to predict cancer risk in the Bhopal population exposed to MIC during 1984. For the first time, we investigated the interaction of MIC and its hydrolytic product (1,3-dimethylurea) with DNMT1 interacting (such as DMAP1, RFTS, and CXXC) and catalytic (SAM, SAH, and Sinefungin) domains using computer simulations. The results of the present study showed a potential interaction of MIC and 1,3-dimethylurea with these domains. Obviously, strong binding of MIC with DNMT1 interrupting normal methylation will lead to epigenetic alterations in the exposed humans. We suggest therefore that the MIC-exposed individuals surviving after 1984 disaster have excess risk of cancer, which can be attributed to alterations in their epigenome. Our findings will help in better understanding the underlying epigenetic mechanisms in humans exposed to MIC.