• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.444-449
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• 1995

Primary cultures of rat cortical and chicken embryonic brain cells were employed to establish a reliable screening method for natural products blocldng or enhancing glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. Exposure of primary cultured rat cortical cells or chicken embryonic brain cells to high dose of glutamate resulted in the fragmentation of neutites and consequent neuronal death. The level of cytoplasmic lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), indicator for cell survival in cultures, was significantly reduced at exposure to glutamate. For the practical application of the methods, series of concentrations of plants extracts and positive control were applied prior to the glutamate insult on primary cultures of rat cortical and chicken embryonic, brain cells. Relative LDH level in cells was measured for the estimation of the effect of the test materials on the glutamatergic neurons. The validity of the present screening method for natural products acting on glutamatergic neurons was examined with dextromethorphan, a known glutamatergic antagonist. The treatment of 100 $\mu{M}$ dextromethorphan prevented the reduction of LDH in rat cortical and chicken embryonic brain cells caused by glutamate insult keeping 60% and 90% of LDH level in normal control, respectively. Above results indicate that primary cultures of rat cortical and chicken embryonic brain cells could be proper systems for the screening of potential natural agents acting on glutamatergic, neurons. Between the two types of cultures, primary culture of chicken embryonic brain cells seemed to be a better system for the primary screening, since it is technically easier and economical compared to that of rat cortical cells.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.87-98
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• 2001

There has been increased interest in the health effects of the Environmental Tobacco Smoke(ETS) as a confirmed human carcinogen. It has been known to be extremely difficult to make an accurate assessment of exposure to ETS since it is consisted of a variety of components and there are a number of labile chemicals. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain, to interpretate and to provide the data of quantitative exposure assessment to ETS in the field of environmental health. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the concentration of ETS using VOC in indoor office environments. The correlations and concentrations of benzene, RSP, 3-EP, nicotine that are indicators for ETS were investigate with smoking density, air change per hour(ventilation rate). Air samples were taken in smoking room(7 sites), smoking allowed office (3 sites), corridor outside smoking room(7 sites), non-smoking office (9 sites). The concentrations of benzene showed significant difference according to category of indoor office environments. The geometric mean concentration of benzene were 23.56 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$/㎥(range 4.80~192.90 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$/㎥) in smoking rooms. 6.16 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$/㎥ in smoking allowed offices, 1.32 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$/㎥ in the non-smoking offices respectively. The ratios of the concentration of benzene between outdoor air and smoking room, smoking allowed office, and non-smoking indicators concentrations, SD, and SI were 0.82(benzene and nicotine). 0.76(benzene and RSP), 0.60(benzene and SD), 0.76(benzene and SI). It is proposed that benzene is a good indicator for ETS.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.378-385
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• 2011

This paper introduces technical aspects of the privacy exposure problem of the video and the audio information on the personal computer and proposes a countermeasure to them. According to the increased number of peripherals for computers, especially including the cameras and the mikes, it is required to be careful on the privacy exposure. Currently, some incorporated or standalone cameras have a pilot lamp to indicate their usage. However, many other cameras and all mikes have not equipped with the pilot lamp or other dedicated indicator. Even though this problem doesn't obstruct their assigned functionalities, it should make the devices susceptible to be exposed with the information they are gathering without any notice to the owners. As a countermeasure to the problem, this paper proposes a reasonable solution that alarms the access trials to the devices and implements programs for the practical sniffing and its counterpart.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.63-82
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• 2009

Because many people suffer from physical and mental damage caused by the noise created by transportation infrastructure, including road traffic, rail, and aircraft, developed countries have conducted research on predicting and solving the impact to human health from being exposed to transportation noise. Therefore, this study suggests a fundamental plan to assess the health impact of transportation noise on the basis of domestic and foreign prediction results regarding the health impact of transportation noise. The domestic and foreign exposure-response expressions, including the noise index and the health impact indicator of annoyance and sleep disturbance, are compared, and it is found that domestic individuals show a more sensitive response to transportation noise. Based on domestic and foreign research, and a case study regarding the health impact of transportation noise, a fundamental plan to assess the health impact of transportation noise comprises the preparation of objective assessment standards through the improvement of exposure-response models, and the establishment of reduction measures which can improve the quality of the transportation noise environment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4283-4287
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• 2013

Background: In this meta-analysis we review evidence suggesting that exposure to cadmium is a cause of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: We conducted Medline/PubMed and Scopus searches using selected MeSH keywords to identify papers published from January 1, 1980 through January 1, 2013. Data were merged and summary mean differences were estimated using either a random-effects model or a fixed-effects model. Results: There were 13 studies including 978 exposed cases and 1,279 controls. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequencies of breast cancer between cadmium-exposed and control groups, and the summary estimate of mean difference was 0.71 (95%CI: 0.33-1.08). However, stratification showed that there were statistically significant differences in the frequencies of breast cancer between cadmium-exposed and control groups among Asian compared with Caucasian population, and the summary estimates of mean difference were 1.45 (95%CI: 0.62-2.28) vs. 0.25 (95%CI: -0.09-0.6), respectively. There was a difference in the frequencies of breast cancer between cadmium-exposed and control groups in peripheral venous blood sampling methods, and the summary estimate of mean difference was 1.41 (95%CI: 0.46-2.37). Conclusions: Data indicate that the frequencies of breast cancer might be an indicator of early genetic effects for cadmium-exposed populations. However, our meta-analysis was performed on population-based studies; meta-analysis based on individual data might provide more precise and reliable results. Therefore, it is necessary to construct an international database on genetic damage among populations exposed to cadmium that may contain all raw data of studies examining genetic toxicity.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.503-509
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was performed in order to evaluate the generation characteristics of airborne bacteria and fungi while operating a household humidifier, in consideration of user habits. Methods: Microbial samples were collected in a closed chamber with a total volume of 2.76 $m^3$, in which a humidifier was operated according to experimental strategies. A cultivation method based on the viable counts of mesophilic heterotrophic bacteria and fungi was performed. Experimental strategies were divided into three classes: the type of water in the water reservoir (tap water, cooled boiled water); the frequency of filling the reservoir (refill every day, no refill); and the sterilization method (sterilization function mode, humidifier disinfectants). Results: Significant increases in the concentration of airborne bacteria were observed while the humidifier was in operation. The concentration had increased to 2,407 $CFU/m^3$ by 120 hours when tap water filled the reservoir without any application of sterilization, while for cooled boiled water, it was merely 393 $CFU/m^3$ at a similar time point. Usages of disinfectant in the water tank were more effective in decreasing bioaerosol generation compared to sterilization function mode operation. Generation characteristics of airborne fungi were similar to those of bacteria, but the levels were not significant in all experiments. Calculated exposure factor can be used as an indicator to compare biorisk exposure. Conclusion: This study identified the potential for bioaerosol generation in indoor environments while operating a household humidifier. User practices were critical in the generation of bioaerosol, or more specifically, airborne bacteria. Proper usage of a humidifier ensures that any biorisks resulting from generated bioaerosol can be prevented.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.373-380
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• 2004

Objectives : There has been gradually increasing concern about the adverse health effects of electromagnetic radiation originating from cell phones which are widely used in modern life. Cell phone radiation may affect human health by increasing free radicals of human blood cells. This study has been designed to identify DNA damage of blood cells by electromagnetic radiation caused by cell phone use. Methods : This study investigated the health effect of acute exposure to commercially available cell phones on certain parameters such as an indicator of DNA damage for 14 healthy adult volunteers. Each volunteer during the experiment talked over the cell phone with the keypad facing the right side of the face for 4 hours. The single cell gel electrophoresis assay (Comet assay), which is very sensitive in detecting the presence of DNA strand-breaks and alkali-labile damage in individual cells, was used to assess peripheral blood cells (T-cells, B-cells, granulocytes) from volunteers before and after exposure to cell phone radiation. The parameters of Comet assay measured were Olive Tail Moment and Tail DNA %. Results : The Olive Tail Moment of B-cells and granulocytes and Tail DNA % of B-cells and granulocytes were increased by a statistically significant extent after 4-hour use of a cell phone compared with controls. Conclusion : It is concluded that cell phone radiation caused the DNA damage during the 4 hours of experimental condition. Nonetheless, this study suggested that cell phone use may increase DNA damage by electromagnetic radiation and other contributing factors.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.95-101
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• 2011

Present study aimed to investigate morphological change and gene expression in the gill of Cyprinus carpio after exposure against muddy water caused by riverbed disturbance with various rearing condition. The gill of C. carpio showed abnormal shapes in its secondary lamellae and a rough surface with impure debris after exposed to muddy water for 80 days. In addition, the gills showed the edema, the exfoliation of epithelial cell, and the fusion of the secondary lamellae. Using 20 ACPs, 24 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) exposed to muddy water for 80 days were identified. 17 genes among them were up-regulated, while 7 genes were down-regulated in preterm deliveries. A BLAST searches revealed that 3 genes were revealed known genes as calcium transporter 1 (TRPV6) mRNA, macha mRNA for putative puroindoline b protein, and Efnb3 protein-like. Therefore, it is considered that Efnb3 gene from gill would be a useful indicator for neurobehavioral changes in fish influenced by muddy water.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2006

Vitellogenin (Vtg), a phospholipoglycoprotein precursor of egg yolk is synthesized and secreted from the liver in response to estrogens in female fish. Vtg is normally undetectable in the blood of male fish, but can be induced by exposure to chemicals possessing estrogenic activity. Thus, the presence of Vtg in blood of male fish can serve as a useful biomarker for assessing previous exposure to estrogenic compounds. In the present study, Vtg was abnormally expressed in Rhynchocypris oxycephalus using estradiol benzoate ($E_2$). As the result, it was found that the level of Vtg in blood from R. oxycephalus was increased by treated quantity of $E_2$ with dose-effect manner. Monoclonal antibodies were generated against Vtg of R. oxycephalus. The hybridoma were screened with an enzyme immunoassay for the production of specific anti-Vtg antibodies. Five positive cell lines with a high specificity were selected. Monoclonal antibodies against vtg of R. oxycephalus that was developed in this study, may be a useful bio-indicator for the detection of estrogenic contamination in the aquatic ecosystem.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.456-463
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• 2021

Background: Keratinocytes form a physical barrier and act as an innate immune cell in skin. Keratinocytes secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, resulting from inflammasome activation when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Korean Red Ginseng extracts (RGE) have been well-studied as modulators of inflammasome activation in immune cells, such as macrophages. In the study, we elucidated the role of RGE on the UV-mediated inflammasome activation in keratinocytes compared with that in macrophages. Methods: Human skin keratinocyte cells (HaCaT), human epidermal keratinocytes (HEK), human monocyte-like cells (THP-1), and mouse macrophages were treated with RGE or a saponin fraction (SF) or non-saponin fraction (NS) of RGE before and after UV irradiation. The secretion levels of IL-1β, as an indicator of inflammasome activation, were analyzed. Results: The treatment of RGE or SF in macrophages after UV irradiation inhibited IL-1β secretion, but similar treatment in HaCaT cells did not. However, the treatment of RGE or SF in HaCaT cells in the presence of poly I:C, a toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 ligand, before UV exposure elicited the inhibition of the IL-1β secretion. The inhibition was caused by the disruption by RGE or SF of the TLR mediating up-regulation of the pro-IL-1β and NLRP3 genes during the priming step. Conclusion: RGE and its saponins inhibit IL-1β secretion in response to UV exposure in both keratinocytes and macrophages. In particular, RGE treatment interrupted only the priming step in keratinocytes, although it did attenuate both the priming and activation steps in macrophages.