• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제26권
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• pp.8.1-8.9
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• 2011

Objectives: This study assessed the health risks for children exposed to phthalate through several pathways including house dust, surface wipes and hand wipes in child facilities and indoor playgrounds. Methods: The indoor samples were collected from various children's facilities (40 playrooms, 42 daycare centers, 44 kindergartens, and 42 indoor-playgrounds) in both summer (Jul-Sep, 2007) and winter (Jan-Feb, 2008). Hazard index (HI) was estimated for the non-carcinogens and the examined phthalates were diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), and butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP). The present study examined these four kinds of samples, i.e., indoor dust, surface wipes of product and hand wipes. Results: Among the phthalates, the detection rates of DEHP were 98% in dust samples, 100% in surface wipe samples, and 95% in hand wipe samples. In this study, phthalate levels obtained from floor dust, product surface and children's hand wipe samples were similar to or slightly less compared to previous studies. The $50^{th}$ and $95^{th}$ percentile value of child-sensitive materials did not exceed 1 (HI) for all subjects in all facilities. Conclusions: For DEHP, DnBP and BBzP their detection rates through multi-routes were high and their risk based on health risk assessment was also observed to be acceptable. This study suggested that ingestion and dermal exposure could be the most important pathway of phthalates besides digestion through food.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제47권6호
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• pp.505-512
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• 2021

Background: The occurrence of environmental disease is known to be associated with chronic exposure to toxic chemicals, including waterborne contaminants, air/indoor pollutants, asbestos, ingredients in humidifier disinfectants, etc. Objectives: In this study, we reviewed toxicological studies related to environmental disease as defined by the Environmental Health Act in Korea and toxic chemicals. We also suggested a direction for future toxicological research necessary for the prevention and management of environmental disease. Methods: Trends in previous studies related to environmental disease were investigated through PubMed and Web of Science. A detailed review was provided on toxicological studies related to the humidifier disinfectants. We identified adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) that can be linked to the induction of environmental diseases, and proposed a chemical screening system that uses AOP, chemical toxicity big data, and deep learning models to select chemicals that induce environmental disease. Results: Research on chemical toxicity is increasing every year, but there is a limitation to revealing a clear causal relationship between exposure to chemicals and the occurrence of environmental disease. It is necessary to develop various exposure- and effect-biomarkers related to disease occurrence and to conduct toxicokinetic studies. A novel chemical screening system that uses AOP and chemical toxicity big data could be useful for selecting chemicals that cause environmental diseases. Conclusions: From a toxicological point of view, developing AOP related to environmental diseases and a deep learning-based chemical screening system will contribute to the prevention of environmental diseases in advance.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.162-169
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• 2024

Particulate matter (PM) constitutes a hazardous blend of organic and inorganic particles that poses health risks. Inhalation of fine airborne PM with a diameter of ≤ 2.5 ㎛ (PM_2.5) can lead to significant lung impairments. (+)-afzelechin (AZC), a natural compound sourced from Bergenia ligulata, boasts a range of attributes, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and cardiovascular effects. However, knowledge about the therapeutic potential of AZC for patients with PM_2.5-induced lung injuries remains limited. Thus, in this study, we investigated the protective attributes of AZC against lung damage caused by PM_2.5 exposure. AZC was administered to the mice 30 min after intratracheal instillation of PM_2.5. Various parameters, such as changes in lung tissue wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio, total protein/total cell ratio, lymphocyte counts, levels of inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), vascular permeability, and histology, were evaluated in mice exposed to PM_2.5. Data demonstrated that AZC mitigated lung damage, reduced W/D weight ratio, and curbed hyperpermeability induced by PM_2.5 exposure. Furthermore, AZC effectively lowered plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines produced by PM_2.5 exposure. It reduced the total protein concentration in BALF and successfully alleviated PM_2.5-induced lymphocytosis. Additionally, AZC substantially diminished the expression levels of Toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4), MyD88, and autophagy-related proteins LC3 II and Beclin 1. In contrast, it elevated the protein phosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Consequently, the anti-inflammatory attribute of AZC positions it as a promising therapeutic agent for mitigating PM_2.5-induced lung injuries by modulating the TLR4-MyD88 and mTOR-autophagy pathways.

• 지질공학
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.295-306
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• 2009

본 연구는 지하수, 토양, 대기의 노출경로에 따라서 부산광역시 사상공단의 지하수와 토양이 인체와 환경에 미치는 영향을 평가하였다. 토양과 대기의 노출경로에 따른 발암 위해는 나타나지 않았으나, 지하수에서는 TCE와 PCE의 발암 위해성이 각각의 기준 한계값인 1.0E-6과 1.0E-5에 대해서 각각 6.7E-6과 1.0E-5로 나타나 발암 위해가 있는 것으로 판단되었다. 대기에서는 비발암성 위해가 나타나지 않았다. 토양의 위해계수와 위해지수는 각각 3.4E-5와 5E-5로서 기준 한계값(1.0) 보다 낮게 나타났으나, 지하수의 위해계수와 위해지수는 각각 0.7 (위해성이 없음)과 1.4(위해성이 있음)로 나타났다. TCE의 최소성분감소비(CRF)는 2.5로서 TCE의 정화작업이 요구된다. 18개의 노출인자에 대한 민감도 분석 결과, 8개의 노출 인자(비 발암 물질에 대한 평균 수명, 발암 물질에 대한 평균 수명, 체중, 노출기간, 노출빈도, 피부노출빈도, 토양 섭취율, 물 섭취율)의 변화에 따라서 위해도가 변화하는 것으로 나타났다.

• 유기물자원화
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.63-74
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• 2019

본 연구에서는 대규모 철도부지를 상업부지로 개발함에 따라 과거 부지 내부에 산업 폐기물 등이 부적절하게 처리되어 중금속 폐기물로 오염된 토양의 Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni 에 대한 인체 위해성 평가를 수행하였다. 위해성 평가는 토양의 복원 및 복원과정에서 필요한 고려요소를 도출하는데 주요한 과정이다. 본 연구에서는 위해성 평가를 위해 환경부 위해성평가지침을 준용하여 노출농도 결정, 노출량 산정, 발암 및 비발암 위해도를 결정하였다. 이를 통해 철도부지의 중금속 오염토양의 인체 위해성 평가 결과를 제시하였다. 노출농도 산정결과 토양내 중금속 함량은 621.3 Cu mg/kg, 2,824.5 Pb mg/kg, 1,559.1 Zn mg/kg, 45 Ni mg/kg이고, 독성금속별 인체 노출량 결과, 노출경로별로는 토양의 실외비산 > 토양섭취 > 토양 접촉 순으로 나타났으며, 오염물질별로는 Pb > Zn > Cu > Ni 순으로 나타났다. 발암위해도 평가 결과, USEPA에서 제시한 허용발암위해도(TCR > $10^{-6}$) 보다 높게 나타났으며, 독성위해도(비발암성) 평가 결과, HI 지수(HI< 1.0)도 성인 3.5, 어린이 4.85, Cu 1.94 ~ 2.16, Pb 1.37 ~ 2.90으로 나타났다. 따라서 대상부지의 중금속으로 오염된 토양의 복원관리가 필요할 것으로 판단된다.

• 한국지하수토양환경학회지:지하수토양환경
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.73-86
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• 2007

위해성에 근거한 복원 전략(risk-based remediation strategy, RBRS)은 위해성평가를 통하여 오염지역의 위해성 또는 오염원을 효율적으로 관리하기 위한 의사결정과정 중의 일부로서, 토양에 존재하는 독성물질이 인간이나 생태계와 같은 수용체로 전이되어 발현되는 독성을 감소시키는 것을 목적으로 한다. 토양오염에 대한 위해성평가는 토양에서 대기로 확산되어나가는 오염물질의 흡입, 토양에서 지하수로 용출된 오염물질의 섭취, 토양 자체의 섭취와 접촉 등에 의한 위해성평가를 포함하며, 오염물질의 특성뿐만 아니라 수리지질학적 자료, 토지이용용도, 수용체의 특성 등 현장의 특이적인 요소들을 충분히 고려해야 한다. 위해성에 근거한 복원전략은 위해성산정을 위한 현장조사로부터 시작하여, 구체화된 노출경로모델(conceptual site model, CSM)의 작성, 목표위해성 수준의 결정, 오염물질의 물리화학적 특성 및 독성학적 자료의 수집을 거쳐, 일반적이고 보수적인 조건 하에 가장 안전한 목표정화수준을 산정하는 Tier 1 평가와 보다 정확한 오염현장의 조사를 통하여 현장특수성을 반영하는 Tier 2 평가를 단계적으로 적용한다. 현장의 오염농도가 Tier 1으로 결정된 허용오염수준(risk-based screening level, RBSL)보다 높은 경우 Tier 2를 실시하여 현장의 특수성을 반영하는 목표정화수준(site-specific target level)을 산정하며, 이를 통하여 오염지역에 대한 과도한 정화처리나 비경제적인 복구사업 등을 피할 수 있다. 위해성에 근거한 복원전략은 이 밖에도 오염지역의 복원우선순위 결정, 토지이용용도에 따른 위해성 관리기준 수립 등 다양한 활용성을 가지지만, 여러 가지 전제조건들과 현장조사 시에 발생하는 현실적 한계 등으로 인하여 불확실성을 가진다. 이를 극복하기 위하여 정확한 CSM의 작성, 복합오염에 대한 고려, 오염물질의 이동과 거동에 영향을 미치는 환경매질의 특성과 모델 입력변수 등을 신중하게 검토해야 하며, 신뢰할 만한 현장조사기법과 독성검사기법의 확립, 국내실정에 맞는 토양 및 지하수 특성자료와 인체 노출인자 등에 대한 연구가 지속적으로 이루어져야 할 것이다.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.433-435
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• 2002

In the present study, we investigated the actions of sphingosine-I-phosphate (SPP) in Mel-Ab melanocytes. We observed the cytoprotective effect of SPP on UVB-induced cell death. Following exposure of cells to UVB, a significant protective effect was seen in cultures pretreated with SPP. Since SPP is well known as a mitogenic agent, it is possible that the mitogenic effect of SPP may contribute to cell survival. Surprisingly, we found that SPP inhibited DNA-synthesis significantly. We were next interested in the regulation of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and Akt pathways by SPP. We clearly observed that SPP potently stimulated the phosphorylation of both ERK and Akt against UVB-induced cell death. Based on these results, we conclude that SPP may show its cytoprotective effect through ERK and Akt activation.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제35권9호
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• pp.2689-2693
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• 2014

The control over microstructure in block copolymer thin films using external electric fields has become an interesting research topic. In this article, the effect of nanoparticle on the microdomain alignments in block copolymer (polystyrene-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine)/nanoparticle (Au) thin films under electric fields has been examined with transmission electron microscopy. The homogeneous dispersion of Au nanoparticles into the block copolymer matrix was achieved by surface modification of nanoparticles with compatible ligands. Compared with the phenomenon seen in the pristine block copolymer thin films, a peculiar alignment behavior was observed in the block copolymer/nanoparticle hybrid thin films under electric fields. In addition, the different pathways observed in the pristine and nanoparticle incorporated block copolymer thin films were also monitored as a function of exposure time. This work can provide the fundamental information for understanding microdomain alignment in block copolymer/nanoparticle thin films under external electric fields.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.119-134
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• 2004

Human exposure to highly nickel-polluted environments, such as those associated with nickel refining, electroplating, and welding, has the potential to produce a variety of pathologic effects. Among them are skin allergies, lung fibrosis, and cancer of the respiratory tract. The exact mechanisms of nickel-induced carcinogenesis are not known and have been the subject of numerous epidemiologic and experimental investigations. This review provides the evidence of the current state for the genotoxic and mutagenic activity of Ni (II) particularly at high doses. Such doses are best delivered into the cells by phagocytosis of sparingly soluble nickel-containing dust particles. Ni (II) genotoxicity may be aggravated through the generation of DNA-damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the inhibition of DNA repair by this metal. The epigenetic effects of nickel includes alteration in gene expression resulting from DNA hypermethylation and histone hypoacetylation, as well as activation some signaling pathways and subsequent transcrziption factors.

• 한국자기공명학회논문지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2013

Metabolomics is the study which detects the changes of metabolites level. Metabolomics is a terminal view of the biological system. The end products of the metabolism, metabolites, reflect the responses to external environment. Therefore metabolomics gives the additional information about understanding the metabolic pathways. These metabolites can be used as biomarkers that indicate the disease or external stresses such as exposure to toxicant. Many kinds of biological samples are used in metabolomics, for example, cell, tissue, and bio fluids. NMR spectroscopy is one of the tools of metabolomics. NMR data are analyzed by multivariate statistical analysis and target profiling technique. Recently, NMR-based metabolomics is a growing field in various studies such as disease diagnosis, forensic science, and toxicity assessment.