• Title/Summary/Keyword: environmental alteration

Search Result 447, Processing Time 0.027 seconds

Association of the G134A and G184C Polymorphisms in the CYP1A1 Gene with Lung Cancer Incidence

  • Ryu, Doug-Young;Huang, Ming-Ai;Park, Chang-Bo;Chang, Soo-Im;Im, Ruth;Choi, Seong-Jin;Kim, Na-Young;Park, In-Won;Choi, Byoung-Whui;Kim, Jae-Yeol;Shin, Jong-Wook;Choi, Jae-Chul;Choi, Byung-Sun;Park, Jung-Dock
    • Toxicological Research
    • /
    • v.24 no.2
    • /
    • pp.109-112
    • /
    • 2008
  • The G184C and G134A single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) of the CYP1A1 gene result in Ala62Pro and Gly45Asp substitutions, respectively. Here, we tested whether these SNPs are associated with an alteration in lung cancer incidence. We examined 80 Korean subjects with lung cancer and 240 age- and sex-matched controls. For each subject, the CYP1A1 gene was PCR amplified and sequenced. We observed that the odds ratio(OR) for lung cancer was 3.37 higher in subjects with the G184C polymorphism than in controls(95% confidence interval(CI), $0.89{\sim}12.73$, P=0.07). In contrast, the OR for lung cancer was 1.23 in subjects with the G134A polymorphism compared to controls(95% CI, $0.68{\sim}2.20$, P=0.49). The G184C polymorphism exacerbated the effects of smoking on lung cancer development. Gene-smoking interaction analyses revealed that past or present smokers with the G184C polymorphism had a higher incidence of lung cancer(OR, 24.72; 95% CI, $4.48{\sim}136.31$; P<0.01) than control smokers(OR, 6.65; 95% CI, $2.72{\sim}16.28$; P<0.01). However, there was only a slight difference in the ORs for lung cancer between control smokers and smokers with the G134A polymorphism. These findings suggest that the G184C polymorphism, but not the G134A polymorphism, is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.

An Investigation on the Implementation of the 'Scientific Inquiry Experiment' of the 2015 Revised Curriculum (2015 개정 교육과정 '과학탐구실험' 운영 실태 조사)

  • Byun, Taejin;Baek, Jongho;Shim, Hyeon-Pyo;Lee, Dongwon
    • Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
    • /
    • v.39 no.5
    • /
    • pp.669-679
    • /
    • 2019
  • In this study, we investigated how 'Scientific Inquiry Experiment,' a newly introduced subject under the 2015 revised curriculum, was implemented to identify the difficulties that science teachers face in the process of teaching the subject and to explore how to support them through online survey and interview methods. A questionnaire of the survey, which consisted of environmental factors of class, preparation and execution of class, teacher self-evaluation of class, and direction for the subject, was developed, and the online survey was requested with a response from one teacher per school from 1674 high schools nationwide. We analyzed the results from 814 teachers who answered all required questions, and we also conducted interviews and online advisory discussions to ensure the validity of our analysis. In the results of the study, teachers complained of lack of time for preparation and execution of the subject, and they demanded laboratory assistants and quality teaching materials. In addition, in order to achieve the goal of the subject, they agreed the necessity of using the 'block scheduling' though they also agreed the difficulties of its implementation. Meanwhile, the alteration of guidelines for evaluation, which was changed from 9-grade system to 3-grade system, was positively recognized by teachers. As a result of this change, the percentage of performance assessment increased in 2019 compared to 2018, but there were no significant changes in the number of 'hands-on activity.' Finally, we proposed ways to support 'scientific inquiry experiment'.

Strategy for Improving Forestland Classification System in Korea (산지이용구분제도의 개선방안 연구)

  • Park, Young-Kyu;Jeon, Jun-Heon;Roh, Hye-Jung
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
    • /
    • v.98 no.6
    • /
    • pp.780-790
    • /
    • 2009
  • The objective of this study was to analyze 'Forestland Classification System' in Korea and to develop a strategy for its improvement. A survey was conducted in this study based on the Delphi technique, one of the interactive survey method relying on a panel of experts. The result indicated that the existing 'Forestland Classification System' was initiated for reasonable management of forestland, but now it turned into one of the most strict management restrictions. To improve forestland management in Korea, it was suggested to adopt 'Forest Function System' in this study. Moreover, to avoid indiscreet landuse conversion that might be occurred by substituting the 'Forest Function System' for the 'Forestland Classification System', it was suggested to adopt 'Forestland Conversion Propriety Assessment System'. In fact, landuse conversion has been regulated by the 'Environmental Impact Assessment System', but this system appeared inadequate to be applied to the forested area. Illegal acts for having permission of landuse conversion for reserved forests was another big issue in the forestland management. For example, alteration of the reserved status of forests or partition into patches smaller than the size limit has been attempted. Thus in this study, it was strongly recommended to take sanction against such illegal acts. In order to enhance the efficiency of forestland management, it was also suggested to integrate administrative agencies related to the landuse conversion or to take over the charge to local governments.

High Frequency of TP53 but not K-ras Gene Mutations in Bolivian Patients with Gallbladder Cancer

  • Asai, Takao;Loza, Ernesto;Roig, Guido Villa-Gomez;Ajioka, Yoichi;Tsuchiya, Yasuo;Yamamoto, Masaharu;Nakamura, Kazutoshi
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
    • /
    • v.15 no.13
    • /
    • pp.5449-5454
    • /
    • 2014
  • Although genetic characteristics are considered to be a factor influencing the geographic variation in the prevalence of gallbladder cancer (GBC), they have not been well studied in Bolivia, which has a high prevalence rate of GBC. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of TP53 and K-ras mutations in Bolivian patients with GBC and to compare them with our previous data obtained in other high-GBC-prevalence countries, namely Japan, Chile, and Hungary. DNA was extracted from cancer sites in paraffin-embedded tissue from 36 patients using a microdissection technique. TP53 mutations at exons 5 to 8 and K-ras mutations at codons 12, 13 and 61 were examined using direct sequencing techniques. The data obtained were compared with those in the other high-GBC-prevalence countries. Of the 36 patients, 18 (50.0%) had a TP53 mutation (one mutation in each of 17 patients and three mutations in one patient), and only one (2.8%) had a K-ras mutation. Of the 20 TP53 mutations, 12 were of the transition type (60.0%). This rate was significantly lower than that in Chile (12/12, P<0.05). In addition, three mutations were of the CpG transition type (15.0%), which is a feature of endogenous mutation. All three were found in the hot spot region of the TP53 gene. In contrast, G:C to T:A transversion was found in Bolivia, suggesting the presence of exogenous carcinogens. Our findings suggest that the development of GBC in Bolivia is associated with both exogenous carcinogens and endogenous mechanisms. The identification of an environmental risk factor for GBC is needed to confirm these findings.

Coordinated alteration of mRNA-microRNA transcriptomes associated with exosomes and fatty acid metabolism in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in grazing cattle

  • Muroya, Susumu;Ogasawara, Hideki;Nohara, Kana;Oe, Mika;Ojima, Koichi;Hojito, Masayuki
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
    • /
    • v.33 no.11
    • /
    • pp.1824-1836
    • /
    • 2020
  • Objective: On the hypothesis that grazing of cattle prompts organs to secrete or internalize circulating microRNAs (c-miRNAs) in parallel with changes in energy metabolism, we aimed to clarify biological events in adipose, skeletal muscle, and liver tissues in grazing Japanese Shorthorn (JSH) steers by a transcriptomic approach. Methods: The subcutaneous fat (SCF), biceps femoris muscle (BFM), and liver in JSH steers after three months of grazing or housing were analyzed using microarray and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), followed by gene ontology (GO) and functional annotation analyses. Results: The results of transcriptomics indicated that SCF was highly responsive to grazing compared to BFM and liver tissues. The 'Exosome', 'Carbohydrate metabolism' and 'Lipid metabolism' were extracted as the relevant GO terms in SCF and BFM, and/or liver from the >1.5-fold-altered mRNAs in grazing steers. The qPCR analyses showed a trend of upregulated gene expression related to exosome secretion and internalization (charged multivesicular body protein 4A, vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 4B, vesicle associated membrane protein 7, caveolin 1) in the BFM and SCF, as well as upregulation of lipolysis-associated mRNAs (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A, hormone-sensitive lipase, perilipin 1, adipose triglyceride lipase, fatty acid binding protein 4) and most of the microRNAs (miRNAs) in SCF. Moreover, gene expression related to fatty acid uptake and inter-organ signaling (solute carrier family 27 member 4 and angiopoietin-like 4) was upregulated in BFM, suggesting activation of SCF-BFM organ crosstalk for energy metabolism. Meanwhile, expression of plasma exosomal miR-16a, miR-19b, miR-21-5p, and miR-142-5p was reduced. According to bioinformatic analyses, the c-miRNA target genes are associated with the terms 'Endosome', 'Caveola', 'Endocytosis', 'Carbohydrate metabolism', and with pathways related to environmental information processing and the endocrine system. Conclusion: Exosome and fatty acid metabolism-related gene expression was altered in SCF of grazing cattle, which could be regulated by miRNA such as miR-142-5p. These changes occurred coordinately in both the SCF and BFM, suggesting involvement of exosome in the SCF-BFM organ crosstalk to modulate energy metabolism.

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Anterior Openbite Malocclusion (전치부 개방교합의 진단과 치료)

  • Chang, Young-Il;Moon, Seong-Cheol
    • The korean journal of orthodontics
    • /
    • v.28 no.6 s.71
    • /
    • pp.893-904
    • /
    • 1998
  • There are varieties of severe malocclusions, which can be treated orthodontically, but with a great deal of effort. Anterior openbite, in particular, is one malocclusion thought to be more difficult to treat, and therefore, most of them have to be corrected by means of surgical intervention. To solve these problems, numerous studies pertinent to treatment modalities have been introduced with controversies on the effectiveness of treatment. Suggested treatment modalities for anterior openbite are based directly or indirectly on the neuromuscular and morphological features and on the etiologic and/or the environmental factors. Even though the vertical relationship of the face is increased due to the growth variation, the normal occlusal relationship can be achieved by the adequate dentoalveolar compensatory mechanism, but in the case of inadequate or negative dentoalveolar compensation, openbite is likely to be present. If the skeletal dysplasia is too severe to be solved by orthodontic treatment alone, combined treatment with surgery should be done to restore the function and the esthetics of the orofacial complex. In many cases, however, orthodontic alteration of the dentition pertinent to the given skeletal pattern with the proper diagnosis and treatment planning can bring satisfactory results. The treatment changes with the Multiloop Edgewise Archwire(MEAW) therapy occurred mainly in the dentoalveolar region and showed a considerable similarity to the natural dentoalveolar compensatory mechanism. In other words, the MEAW technique allows orthodontists to produce the natural dentoalveolar compensation orthodontically. Even if an openbite is corrected by the orthodontic dentoalveolar compensation suitable for the skeletal pattern, relapse may still occur by the persisting etiologic factors which originally prohibited the natural dentoalveolar compensation. The etiologic factors should be determined at the time of initial diagnosis and should be controlled during treatment and retention.

  • PDF

Environmental and Genetic Aspects of Obesity in Broilers (육계의 비만현상에 관한 고찰)

  • 김재홍
    • Korean Journal of Poultry Science
    • /
    • v.9 no.1
    • /
    • pp.1-16
    • /
    • 1982
  • Excessive fat deposition, particularly in the abdominal region, has become a problem in broiler production. When the caloric intake exceeds the body demands for energy, excess food is stored as fat in broilers. Researchers have shown that fat deposition varies with breed, strain, sex age, nutrition, exercise, ambient temperature and rearing systems. These factors affect fat deposition through their effects on the size or the number of adipose cells or a combination of both. In some measurements on live birds to predict body fat, the wet weight and percentage fat of skin in pectoral feather tract are significantly correlated with percentage abdominal fat. But these correlation coefficients are not so high. Therefore, correlation coefficients indicate that these measurements on live birds ate not useful for estimating body fat weight and percentage. Most reports show that an increase in the proportion of carcass fat, when measured at a given age, is correlated with selection for increased body weight. On the other hand some research results show that selection for body$.$weight gain dose not lead to an alteration in the proportion carcass fat when measured at a given body weight. Besides, selection for improved food conversion efficiency alone resulted in a decrease in carcass fat and an increase in protein and water when measured at either a given age or body weight, Thus eventhough it is uncertain whether carcass fat is increasing as a result of body-weight selection in broilers: however it is clear that selection for improved food conversion efficiency, either alone or in combination with growth rate, should result in leaner carcasses than selection for growth rate alone.

  • PDF

2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene-induced Atopic Dermatitis Like Immune Alteration in Mice (마우스에서 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene을 이용한 아토피성 피부염 발현 관련 면역지표치 분석)

  • Lee, Seung-Hye;Baek, Seong-Jin;Kim, Hyoung-Ah;Heo, Yong
    • Toxicological Research
    • /
    • v.22 no.4
    • /
    • pp.357-364
    • /
    • 2006
  • This study was undertaken to develop a reliable mice model demonstrating similar immunologic phenomena as human atopic dermatitis characterized with predominance of type-2 immune response. BALB/C mice and NC/Nga mice were sensitized twice with $100{\mu}l$ of 1% 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) or vehicle (acetone : olive oil=4:1 mixture) in a week and challenged twice with $100{\mu}l$ of 0.2% DNCB or the vehicle at the following week. Mice were sacrificed at 19 days following the second DNCB or vehicle challenge for NC/Nga mice and at 28 days following the second DNCB or vehicle challenge for BALB/c mice. Upregulation of plasma 1gE, a hallmark of atopic dermatitis occurrence, was evident in the plasma obtained 4 day after the second DNCB challenge from BALB/c mice (approximately 4-fold) and NC/Nga mice (approximately 6-fold) treated with DNCB in comparison with that of the vehicle treated-control mice, and remain higher $3{\sim}4$ week after the second challenge. Ratio of plasma IgG1 versus IgG2a concentration was significantly higher in the mice treated with DNCB than the control mice, which also implies the skewed type-2 reactivity in vivo. Ratio of interleukin-4 versus interferon gamma produced in the splenic T cell culture supernatants was approximately 3-fold higher in the both strains of mice treated with DNCB than their control mice, respectively. The DNCB-treated mice demonstrated atopic dermatitis-like skin legions characterized with erythma, scaling, and hemorrhage, which was not observed with the control mice. Scratching on face or dorsal area was significantly more frequent (approximately 25-fold) in the DNCB-treated mice than the control at next day of the second DNCB challenge, and scratching frequency remains higher (approximately 4-fold) in the mice treated with DNCB than the control at 14 day following the second DNCB challenge. Overall, the mice model developed through sensitization and challenge with DNCB may be useful for research on atopic dermatitis and development of treatment materials for atopic dermatitis.

Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopes of Sinking Particles in the Eastern Bransfield Strait (Antarctica)

  • Khim, Boo-Keun;Kim, Dong-Seon;Shin, Hyoung-Chul;Kim, Dong-Yup
    • Ocean Science Journal
    • /
    • v.40 no.3
    • /
    • pp.167-176
    • /
    • 2005
  • A time-series sediment trap was deployed at 1,034 m water depth in the eastern Bransfield Strait for a complete year from December 25, 1998 to December 24, 1999. About 99% of total mass flux was trapped during an austral summer, showing distinct seasonal variation. Biogenic particles (biogenic opal, particulate organic carbon, and calcium carbonate) account for about two thirds of annual total mass flux $(49.2\;g\;m^{-2})$, among which biogenic opal flux is the most dominant (42% of the total flux). A positive relationship (except January) between biogenic opal and total organic carbon fluxes suggests that these two variables were coupled, due to the surface-water production (mainly diatoms). The relatively low $\delta^{13}C$ values of settling particles result from effects on C-fixation processes at low temperature and the high $CO_2$ availability to phytoplankton. The correspondingly low $\delta^{l5}N$ values are due to intense and steady input of nitrates into surface waters, reflecting an unlikely nitrate isotope fractionation by degree of surface-water production. The $\delta^{l5}N$ and $\delta^{l3}C$ values of sinking particles increased from the beginning to the end of a presumed phytoplankton bloom, except for anomalous $\delta^{l5}N$ values. Krill and the zooplankton fecal pellets, the most important carriers of sinking particles, may have contributed gradually to the increasing $\delta^{l3}C$ values towards the unproductive period through the biomodification of the $\delta^{l3}C$ values in the food web, respiring preferentially and selectively $^{12}C$ atoms. Correspondingly, the increasing $\delta^{l5}N$ values in the intermediate-water trap are likely associated with a switch in source from diatom aggregates to some remains of zooplankton, because organic matter dominated by diatom may be more liable and prone to remineralization, leading to greater isotopic alteration. In particular, the tendency for abnormally high $\delta^{l5}N$ values in February seems to be enigmatic. A specific species dominancy during the production may be suggested as a possible and speculative reason.

Impact of the Pollution on the Benthic Community Environmental impact of the pollution on the benthic coralligenous community in the Gulf of Fos, northwestern Mediterranean (북서 지중해 Fos해역의 해양오염이 해양저서생물군집 Coralligenous Community에 미치는 영향)

  • HONG Jae-Sang
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
    • /
    • v.16 no.3
    • /
    • pp.273-290
    • /
    • 1983
  • A bionomic study of the coralligenous concretionary hard bottom in the northwestern Mediterranean was carried out at four stations : three stations(Arnette, Laurons, Auguette) under the influence of intense multisource pollution(gradient decreasing from north to south) in the Gulf of Fos, west of Marseille, France, and one control station(Moyade islet) in an unpolluted area near Riou island, east of Marseille. Along the increasing pollution gradient from the outer to the inner part of the Gulf of Fos, there is a qualitative and quantitative impoverishment of the fauna. On the whole, the species richness, the numerical abundance. and the species diversity index are all on the decrease. Accordingly, the innermost station in the Gulf of Fos(Auguette) is most heavily affected by the industrial, and to a lesser extent by the domestic wastes, from the nearby industrial complex and urban areas. The impact on the benthic coralligenous community of this serious alteration has been analysed in view of community composition, functional aspect, and ecological stocks. The faunal affinity between stations has been studied by means of the two coefficients : fourfold point correlation coefficient and Jaccard's community coefficient. The upper layer and inferior face communities of the coralligenous concretionary structures are also compared.

  • PDF