• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.262-269
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• 2012

We investigated the concentration levels and evaluated the distributions of 17 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans(PCDD/Fs), 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls(DLPCBs) and 24 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in sediment and organism from various culturing grounds in Korean coast. The levels of PCDD/Fs, DLPCBs, and PBDEs in sediment samples ranged from 0.03 to 2.9(Mean${\pm}$SD, $1.2{\pm}0.89$) pg $WHO_{2005}$-TEQ $g^{-1}$ dry weight(dw), ND(not detected) to 1.1($0.09{\pm}0.19$) pg $WHO_{2005}$-TEQ $g^{-1}$ dw, and ND to 16.6($2.96{\pm}3.53$) ng $g^{-1}$ dw, respectively. Also, the levels of PCDD/Fs, DLPCBs, and PBDEs in culturing organisms ranged from ND to 0.24($0.07{\pm}0.06$) pg $WHO_{2005}$-TEQ $g^{-1}$ wet weight(ww), ND to 0.11($0.04{\pm}0.04$) pg $WHO_{2005}$-TEQ $g^{-1}$ ww, and 0.05 to 0.29($0.13{\pm}0.06$) ng $g^{-1}$ ww, respectively. The levels of total dioxins(PCDD/Fs+DLPCBs) and PBDEs in sediments from East and South sea were four to seven times higher than those from West sea. PCDD/Fs had dominant contribution(mean, 94%) for TEQ concentration in sediment, whereas relatively higher contribution of DLPCBs(33%) were shown in culturing organism than sediment. BDE209 was a dominant congener in both matrix. The concentrations of PCDD/Fs, DLPCBs and PBDEs were in decreasing trends in Korea coasts compared to previous results.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.808-814
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• 2014

The nutrient contents of pumpkins depend on many factors, including the species, climate, soil type, and plant part. The nutritional compositions of five pumpkin cultivars (red boujjang, mini hong, mini gold, boujjang, and yakhobak) were investigated. To analyze the nutrient contents of the edible parts, the other parts (seeds, skin, and stem) of each pumpkin were removed. The results showed that the proximate compositions of the edible parts of the pumpkins ranged from 74 to 87 g per 100 g for moisture, 1.6 to 3.2 g per 100 g for crude protein, 10.1 to 20.7 g per 100 g for carbohydrate content, and 2.0 to 3.4 g per 100 g for total dietary fiber. The proximate contents of the pumpkin samples were not significantly different. The thiamine contents of the pumpkins, except for red boujjang, varied from 0.03 to 0.15 mg per 100 g, but that of red boujjang had the highest level (0.60 mg per 100 g). The vitamin C contents of the pumpkins, except for boujjang, ranged from 13.0 to 14.0 mg per 100 g, but that of boujjang was the highest (49.0 mg per 100 g). In particular, yakhobak showed the highest total carotenoid and folate levels (279.5 and $74.0{\mu}g$ per 100 g, respectively). These results will be useful for coming up with better pumpkin varieties through breeding, and established the nutrient compositions of pumpkins.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.131-140
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• 1992

In order to investigate the changes of hydroxyproline amount and pathologic finding in rat lung which were instilled the natural coal and free silica dust intratracheally, the subjects were divided into two groups as follows. The control group was only administered intratracheally 0.5 ml of normal saline, and the experimental groups were instilled at once the turbid solution containing 10 mg, 30 mg and 50 mg of natural coal and free silica dust each, subjects were sacrified at the 3rd and the 20th week each after the experiment. Hydroxyproline amount in the right upper lung was measured by Woessner method and HPLC (modified Dunphy) method, and the pathlogic finding of lung tissue were observed for hematoxylin-eosin staining, Bielschowski method and Masson's trichrome method. The results were as follows. 1) The wet lung weights of all experimental groups excluding in the groups instilled 10 mg and 30 mg of natural coal dust at 3rd week, were significantly increased (p<0.05) compared with control group. The weight in each free silica group was markedly increased (p<0.05) at 20th week compared with the same dose of natural coal dust group, while the weight in the same dose group of free silica dust was increased significantly at 20th week compared with at 3rd week. 2) The amount of hydroxyproline were significantly increased (p<0.05) in the natural coal and free silica groups at 20th week compared with the control groups, and in each experimental group instilled the same kind and dose of dust, its amount was markedly increased (p<0.05) at 20th week compared with at 3rd week. And also the hydroxyproline in 30 mg and 50 mg free silica groups increased markedly (p<0.05) at 20th week compared with the natural coal dust of the same dose. 3) The polymorphonuclear leukocytes, fibroblasts and macrophages in interstitium and alveolar space showed the increasing tendency in the free silica group more markedly than in the natural coal dust group. The exudate in alveolar space at 3rd week was disappeared at 20th week, and pneumoconiotic nodules observed microscopically in all experimental groups at 20th week, while the nodules apeared already at 3rd week in the 30 mg and 50 mg free silica dust groups. The significant increase of Hydroxyproline content in lung tissue and pneumoconiotic nodule formation in experimental groups found in this study indicate that the observation period, dust amount and kind of dust is important factors associated with pneumoconiosis. And these findings were generally more severe in free silica dust groups than in natural coal groups.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2006

There is growing concern that dietary soy intake is associated with protection of breast cancer. However, questions persist on the potential adverse effects of the main soy constituent genistein(GS) on female reproductive physiology. In this study, we examined whether prepubertal exposure to GS affected on the onset of puberty and the associated reproductive parameters such as hormone receptor expressions in female rats. GS(100mg/kg/day) was administrated daily from postnatal day 25(PND 25) to the day when the first vaginal opening(VO) was observed, and the animals were sacrificed on the day after VO occurred. Gross anatomy and tissue weight were compared to test the GS's effect on the cell proliferation. Furthermore, histological studies were performed to assess the structural alterations in tissues. Specific radioimmunoassay(RIA) were carried out to measure serum LH levels. To determine the transcriptional changes in progesterone receptors(PR), total RNAs were extracted from ovary and uterus and were applied to semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). As a results, advanced VO was shown in the GS group(PND $31.2{\pm}0.6$) compared to the vehicle group (PND $35.3{\pm}0.7$). GS treatment significantly increased wet weight of ovaries and uteri compared to the vehicle group. Increased serum LH levels were also shown in the GS group. Graafian follicles and corpora lutea(CL) were observed only in the ovaries from GS treated animals. Similarly, hypertrophy of luminal and glandular uterine epithelium were found only in the GS group. Collectively, these effects were probably due to the estrogenic effects of GS. In the semi-quantitative RT-PCR studies, the transcriptional activities of PR in both ovary and uterus from GS-treated group were significantly higher than those from the vehicle group. The present studies demonstrated that acute exposure to GS, at levels comparable to the ranges of human exposure, during the critical period of prepubertal stage activates the reproductive system resulting precocious puberty in immature female rats.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2014

The black scraper Thamnaconus modestus was a commercially important fish species in the 1980s, but suddenly its commercial significance decreased in the 1990s mainly due to continuous overfishing. Recently, in order to reverse the depleted stocks of the black scraper and help the species recover, seed production technology has emerged. This has led to the farming of the black scraper in several parts of the southern coast of Korea. Since detailed research on its metabolism in relation to water temperature has been scanty, this was the investigative focus of the present study. The standard metabolism rates of the black scraper (9-10 months old, total length=$22.6{\pm}0.8cm$, wet weight=$140.3{\pm}13.9g$) were measured at seven different water temperature settings (12, 15, 17, 20, 23, 26, $28^{\circ}C$) to understand the relationship between metabolism and water temperature. Relationships between water temperature (WT) and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) were obtained as SOCR (weight-specific oxygen consumption rate) = 0.0117WT - 0.0135 ($r^2=0.9351$) and IOCR (oxygen consumption rate per individual) = 1.8160WT - 5.4007 ($r^2$ = 9428). The $Q_{10}$ (temperature sensitivity), an indicator of the sensitivity of biological function to temperature, was analyzed. In our experiment, when the water temperature increased, the $Q_{10}$ value decreased. The $Q_{10}$ value was 6.27 in waters where the temperature ranged from $12-15^{\circ}C$ and this was much higher than the values obtained in waters where temperatures ranged between (1) $15-23^{\circ}C$ and (2) $23-28^{\circ}C$. Consequently, it was shown that the black scraper is a warm water species and inhabiting waters in the temperature range from $15-28^{\circ}C$ is deemed appropriate.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2008

There has been a recent trend in Korea that treatments for combustible wastes among municipal solid waste (MSW) by those methods, such as incineration and landfill are restricted as much as possible and Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) are encouraged actively in order to promote resource recovery. To build and operate properly these facilities, the physicochemical characteristics of MSW should be analyzed precisely beforehand. In particular, designing a crusher or separator properly which is the main process in MBT facilities of MSW. require the information on the size distribution characteristics of MSW, but they are nor sufficient in the qualities and quantities yet as of now. Accordingly, this study aims to evaluate size distribution characteristics of MSW and its physicochemical characteristics by size. The samples of MSW were collected from detached dwelling area, apartment area, business area, and commercial area of A city in Korea. According to the result of analysis, paper records 29.78~60.02% by wet weight basis, so it was the most regardless of the regions where the wastes were generated. And in terms of element analysis, Carbon(C) was 34.77~44.39%, the largest friction, and Oxygen(O) was the next occupying 19.46~33.71%. As indices of RDFs, Chlorine(Cl) was 0.39~0.83%, so it was less than the standard, 2.0%(by dry weight basis); moreover, Sulfur(S) did not exceed the standard, 0.6%, either. In the size distribution of MSW, waste fraction ranging 50~80mm in diameter was the most in combustible waste while 30~50mm was in incombustible waste.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.253-261
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• 2012

Dioxin contamination on agroproducts is one of the most important issue in food safety. Herein, we measured concentration of 17 dioxins polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and 14 dioxin like-polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in the main grain (rice and barley) that were produced in Korea. The 36 rice samples were collected from rice processing complex at eight provinces, and the average concentrations of each province were ranged from 2.98 pg/g wet weight (w.w) to 4.98 pg/g w.w. as total PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs. The seven barley samples were collected from Jeon-nam and Jeon-buk provinces, and their average total concentrations of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs were 3.00 pg/g w.w. and 3.24 pg/g w.w. respectively. The residual amounts and toxic equivalent (TEQ) of DL-PCBs in rice and barley were higher than PCDD/Fs. The average total TEQ of rice and barley were 0.0056 pg-TEQ/g and 0.0092 pg-TEQ/g on lower bound estimation respectively. Estimated daily intake of dioxins from rice and barley were calculated 1.03 pg-TEQ/day/person and 0.0534 pg-TEQ/day/person respectively. These were estimated 0.46% and 0.03% of Korean TDI based on 55 kg body weight.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.135-141
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• 2005

A 16-week feeding trial was conducted to estimate the optimum dietary protein to energy ratio (P/E ratio, mg/kcal) in juvenile Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica. Six experimental diets were formulated with three energy levels and two protein levels at each energy level. Three energy levels of 3800, 4150 and 4500 kcal per kg diets were included at 45 and 50% crude protein (CP) levels, respectively $(_{120}P_{45},\;_{110}P_{45},\;_{100}P_{45},\;_{130}P_{50},\;_{120}P_{50},\;and\;_{110}P_{50})$. After four weeks of the conditioning period, fish initially averaging $15.0{\pm}3g\;(means{\pm}SD)$ were randomly distributed into each tank as groups of 20 fish. Each diet was fed to fish in three randomly selected tanks at a rate of $2{\sim}3%$ wet body weight per day in the recirculated system. Weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate of fish fed diet $_{100}P_{45}$ were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of fish fed the other diets. WG of fish fed diet $_{120}P_{50}$ was also significantly higher than those of fish fed diets $_{130}P_{50}$ and $_{110}P_{50}$. Feed efficiency ratio of fish fed diets $_{100}P_{45}$ and $_{110}P_{45}$ were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of fish fed other diets. These results suggest that the optimum P/E ratio may be 100 mg/kcal with 45% protein diets, and 120 mg/Kcal 50% protein diets for the maximum growth of juvenile Japanese eel under the experimental condition.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.147-154
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• 2006

Phthalates such as di(2-ethyl hexyl)phthalate(DEHP) are industrial chemicals with wide-ranging human exposures because of their use in plastics and other common consumer products. Consequently, their adverse effects as endocrine disruptor in the reproductive physiology of both laboratory rodents and human have been studied extensively. The present study was undertaken to examine whether prepubertal exposure to DEHP affects on the onset of puberty and the associated reproductive parameters such as hormone receptor expressions in female rats. DEHP(100mg/kg/day) was administered daily from postnatal day 25(PND 25) through the day when the first vaginal opening(VO) was observed, and the animals were sacrificed on the next day. Gross anatomy and weight of reproductive tissues were compared to test the DEHP's effects on the cell proliferation. Furthermore, histological studies were performed to assess the structural alterations in the tissues. Specific radioimmunoassay was carried out to measure serum LH levels. To determine the transcriptional changes in progesterone receptor(PR), total RNAs were extracted and applied to the semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). As a result, delayed VO was shown in the DEHP group(PND $37.3{\pm}0.7$) compared to the control group(PND $35.3{\pm}0.7$; p<0.05). DEHP treatment significantly decreased the wet weight of ovaries and uteri compared to the control group(p<0.05). Interestingly, elevation of serum LH levels was shown in the DEHP group(p<0.05). Graafian follicles and corpora lutea were observed only in the ovaries from the control animals. Numerous primary, secondary follicles and small atretic follicles were observed in the ovaries from DEHP-treated animals. Similarly, hypotrophy of luminal and glandular uterine epithelium was found in the DEHP-treated group. These effects were probably due to the inhibitory effects of DEHP on the synthesis and secretion of estrogen from granulosa cells. In the semiquantitative RT-PCR studies, the transcriptional activities of PR in both ovary(p<0.05) and uterus(p<0.01) from DEHP-treated animals were significantly lower than those from the control animals. The present studies demonstrated that the acute exposure to DEHP during the critical period of prepubertal stage could inactivate the reproductive system resulting delayed puberty in female rats.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.245-251
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• 2007

Vinclozolin(VCZ), a systemic dicarboximide fungicide, has been used in the control of diseases caused by microorganism of some species in fruits, vegatables and ornamental plants. Although VCZ itself is a very weak antagonist for androgen receptor binding, both melabolites M1 and M2 are effective antagonists. The present study was undertaken to examine whether prepubertal exposure to VCZ affects on the onset of puberty and the associated reproductive parameters such as hormone receptor expressions in female rats. VCZ(10 mg/kg/day) was administered daily from postnatal day 21(PND 21) through the day when the first vaginal opening(V.O.) was observed. Gross anatomy and weight of reproductive tissues were compared to test the VCZ's effects on the cell proliferation. Furthermore, histological studies were performed to assess the structural alterations in the tissues. To determine the transcriptional changes in progesterone receptor(PR), total RNAs were extracted and applied to the semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). As a result, delayed V.O. was shown in the VCZ group(PND $34.00{\pm}1.22$) compared to the control group(PND $38.20{\pm}1.92$; p<0.01). VCZ treatment significantly decreased the wet weight of ovaries and uteri compared to the control group(p<0.01). Graafian follicles and corpora lutea were observed only in the ovaries from the control animals, while numerous primary, secondary follicles and small atretic follicles were observed in the ovaries from VCZ group. Similarly, hypotrophy of luminal and glandular uterine epithelium was found in the VCZ group. In the semi-quantitative RT-PCR studies, the transcriptional activity of PR in ovary(p<0.01) from VCZ group were significantly lower than those from the control group while in uterus were similar compared with the control group. The present studies demonstrated that the acute exposure to VCZ during the critical period of prepubertal stage could inactivate the reproductive system resulting delayed puberty in female rats.