Current status of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exposure among mothers and their babies of Korea-CHECK cohort study

Choi, Sooran,Kim, Hai-joong,Kim, Sunmi,Choi, Gyuyeon,Kim, Sungjoo,Park, Jeongim,Shim, Soon-sup,Lee, Inae,Kim, Sungkyoon,Moon, Hyo-Bang,Choi, Kyungho,Lee, Jeong Jae,Kim, Su Young Elsevier 2018 Science of the Total Environment Vol.618 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Despite the global ban, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been a persistent and significant environmental health issue worldwide. Prenatal exposure to these persistent organic pollutants (POPs) has been identified as a major route of exposure among developing fetuses and newborn infants. Among Children's Health and Environmental Health of Korea (CHECK) cohort population, pregnant females (<I>n</I> =148) and their matching newborn infants (<I>n</I> =117) recruited from four cities of Korea in 2011 were investigated. The blood serum and cord blood serum were sampled at delivery, and measured for 19 OCPs and 19 PCBs. In addition, a questionnaire regarding demographic characteristics, and dietary habits were conducted. The most frequently detected POPs in both maternal blood and cord blood were <I>p,p</I>′-dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE) (99% detection in maternal, and 98% in cord blood serum) and PCB153 (95% in maternal, 74% in cord blood serum). The levels of dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethanes (DDTs) in both maternal (average 82.5ng/g lw) and cord blood serum (average 77.5ng/g lw) were comparable to or greater than those reported in Japan about a decade ago. Approximately two thirds of the pregnant women and newborn infants showed the <I>p,p</I>′-DDE concentrations exceeding the biological equivalent (BE) corresponding to 10<SUP>−6</SUP> excess cancer risk. In addition, less chlorinated PCBs were detected higher in both maternal and cord serum. Less chlorinated PCBs also showed greater transplacental ratio. Dairy consumption among the subjects was positively associated, and tea consumption was negatively associated with serum levels of several POPs. Our results show that the exposure to legacy POPs, especially DDTs, among pregnant women and newborn infants is still prevailing, thus warrants measures for exposure mitigation among these vulnerable populations.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> OCPs and PCBs were measured in serum of Korean mothers and their matching newborns. </LI> <LI> Levels of most OCPs in maternal and cord serum are correlated. </LI> <LI> Less chlorinated PCBs are detected higher in cord serum than maternal serum. </LI> <LI> DDTs are of potential health concern, with 67% of subjects potentially at risk. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Characterization and regulated naproxen release of hydroxypropyl cyclosophoraose-pullulan microspheres

Choi, Jae Min,Lee, Benel,Jeong, Daham,Park, Kyeong Hui,Choi, Eun-Ji,Jeon, Yong-Joon,Dindulkar, Someshwar D.,Cho, Eunae,Do, Sun Hee,Lee, Kyungho,Lee, Im-Soon,Park, Seyeon,Jun, Bong-Hyun,Yu, Jae-Hyuk,Ju THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING 2017 JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY -S Vol.48 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Hydroxypropyl cyclosophoraose-pullulan (HPCys-Pul) microspheres were designed as a novel hybrid system of biocompatible pullulan matrice and pendant hydroxypropyl cyclosophoraoses with drug complexing ability. The HPCys-Pul microspheres were prepared by emulsion crosslinking method, and characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and solid state NMR spectroscopy. By virtue of hydroxypropyl cyclosophoraoses, the developed microspheres can encapsulate 4.2-fold more naproxen than pullulan microspheres. Korsmeyer–Peppas model was introduced for describing release kinetics. <I>In vivo</I> naproxen release analysis was carried out in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. From those results HPCys-Pul microsphere will be a promising platform for controlled drug delivery.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Hybrid microspheres of biocompatible polysaccharide pullulan (Pul) and hydroxypropyl cyclosophoraoses (HPCys) were prepared. </LI> <LI> The HPCys-Pul microspheres showed both effective encapsulation and controlled release of naproxen (NPX). </LI> <LI> Those microspheres were completely characterized by TGA, XRD, FE-SEM, FT-IR, and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. </LI> <LI> Hybrid HPCys-Pul microspheres resulted in a pH-regulated release system as well as enhanced entrapment efficiency for NPX. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Acute toxicity of four alkylphenols (3-tert-butyl-, 2-isopropyl-, 3-propropyl-, and 4-isopropyl-phenol) and their binary mixtures to Microtox, with comparisons to Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pimephales promelas

Kyungho Choi,Leonard l. Sweet,Brian E. Olseski,Peter G. Meier 한국환경보건학회 2003 한국환경보건학회 학술대회 자료집 Vol.2003 No.-

Failure of a Rotation Control Gamma 3 Lag Screw Used to Treat a Trochanteric Fracture

( Kyungho Choi ),( Yongtae Kim ),( Shicheng Zhou ),( Jihyo Hwang ) 대한고관절학회 2018 Hip and Pelvis Vol.30 No.2

Gamma 3 rotation control lag screws (U-blade) are particularly useful when treating rotational and unstable fractures of the proximal femur. A 93-year-old woman who underwent closed reduction of a trochanteric fracture and internal fixation with a Gamma 3 nail rotation control lag screw. The patient presented with metal failure and U-blade bending following a fall occurring 4 weeks after surgery. Here, we present a case report summarizing removal of the failed lag screw.

Endocrine disruption potentials of several pharmaceuticals in H295R cell and a freshwater fish Oryzias latipes

Choi Kyungho(최경호) 한국환경독성학회 2010 한국독성학회 심포지움 및 학술발표회 Vol.2010 No.11

Exposure to environmental chemicals among Korean adults-updates from the second Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2012–2014)

Choi, Wookhee,Kim, Suejin,Baek, Yong-Wook,Choi, Kyungho,Lee, Keejae,Kim, Sungkyoon,Yu, Seung Do,Choi, Kyunghee Elsevier 2017 International journal of hygiene and environmental Vol.220 No.2

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>National biomonitoring program can offer solid scientific evidence on exposure profiles of environmental chemicals at a national level, and provide a snapshot of changing exposure level over time. Therefore, several countries have maintained such programs for developing environmental health policies. The Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) was designed to understand the level of human exposure to environmental chemicals by time and location, and to identify possible sources of such exposure. The 2nd stage of KoNEHS, which was conducted between 2012 and 2014, examined a total of 6478 adult subjects over 19 years of age, and measured 21 environmental chemicals of major policy concern. Compared to the findings from the first stage monitoring (2009–2011), slightly higher levels of blood lead were observed, while those of mercury remained similar. Blood metal concentrations, however, were higher than those reported from national biomonitoring programs of United States, Germany and Canada. The urinary concentrations of phthalates metabolites were lower, but those of t,t-muconic acid and BPA were higher than those reported in the first stage survey. The urinary cotinine level decreased perhaps reflecting general declining patterns of first- and second-hand smoking. The results of the second stage survey were made available for public use since April 2016.</P> <P>Some policy efforts appear to be at least in part effective on mitigating chemical exposure among people, e.g., urinary phthalate metabolites and cotinine, while further confirmations are warranted. In-depth assessments will be conducted to identify vulnerable groups and important exposure pathways.</P>

Uptake efficiencies of PCB 153 in fathead minnows through food chain of sediment-midge-fish

Kyungho Choi,Peter G. Meier 한국환경보건학회 2003 한국환경보건학회 학술대회 자료집 Vol.2003 No.-

생활환경 화학물질 보건 문제와 정책 제언

최경호(Kyungho Choi) 서울대학교 보건환경연구소 2017 보건학논집 Vol.54 No.2

Objectives: During the past several years, we have learned that our living environment is not safe from hazardous chemicals and the risks associated with such chemicals could claim significant costs to our society. Recently, a series of chemical safety issues among general public, including fipronil and other pesticide tainted eggs and fears over allegedly toxic sanitary pads, have again clearly showed that chemical safety management system of Korea has failed to earn people’s trust, and exhibited significant gaps to fill. The purpose of this essay is to suggest underlying causes of this failure in chemical safety system, and to emphasize several areas to consider to improve the current chemical safety management system of Korea. Results: Several reasons were identified to explain the current malfunctioning of the chemical safety management system. First, right-to-know of the public has often been neglected and hence informed decision was not possible. Second, risk assessment framework on which current safety regulations rely has limitations that should be supplemented by refined safety testing methods and epidemiological investigations. Third, specialized but separated managements by multiple ministries often leave some products or areas outside without proper management. In order to address these challenges, public’s right-to-know should be strengthened at community level. In addition, integrated and consistent systems for chemical risk assessment and disease surveillance should be prepared and streamlined with the functions of existing ministries that are responsible chemical safety management. Conclusion: Recent experiences and public fears on chemicals in living environment indirectly show that the value of our society has been moving from industrial development to sustainability and health. The current chemical safety crisis should be the first step toward advancing the chemical safety management system of our society.

코로나19와 환경보건 - 당면한 과제와 전망

최경호(Kyungho Choi) 서울대학교 보건환경연구소 2020 보건학논집 Vol.57 No.2

Objectives: COVID-19 is virtually the first pandemic in modern world, and causes global scale public health burden and unprecedented socioeconomic damages throughout the world. This pandemic has changed many aspects of everyday lives, most vividly characterized by social distancing and lockdown, and calls for involvements of environmental health sciences. The purpose of this essay is to identify current tasks, and to initiate discourse on the longer-term efforts of environmental health sciences, in order to address several issues and concerns related with the outbreak and similar disasters expected in the future. Results: Several pending tasks of environmental health sciences are identified. Knowledge and communication gaps were identified for the use and disposal of personal protective equipment and hygienic products such as face masks and disinfectants. Increased use of disposables including plastic bags and tableware has been justified as a quarantine measure, but often without evidence supporting the use. Importance of management of chemical safety is also highlighted, as many diseases related to chemical exposure, e.g., diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases, are identified to exhibit increased risks for severe illness from COVID-19. On the other hand, global efforts to respond to climate crisis are considered by many experts as one of the most essential strategies to prevent or curtail the probability of another pandemic events. Environmental health sciences should play major roles in this effort. Conclusion: New societal environment changed by COVID-19 pandemic shapes roles of environmental health sciences. The list of the topics proposed in the essay is not complete, and I hope this proposal would initiate active discussions among the interested scientists to identify more areas of active involvement and hence contribution of the environmental health sciences.

미국헌법상 지방자치 보장의 방법으로서 지방정부 기관 구성 다양화

최경호(Kyungho Choi) 강원대학교 비교법학연구소 2021 江原法學 Vol.65 No.-

우리 헌법 제117조, 118조에 의거 지방자치는 헌법적으로 보장되고 있다. 우리헌법은 지방자치단체의 조직과 운영 등 지방자치제도의 구체적 형성을 입법자에게 위임하는 구조를 취하고 있다. 지방자치법은 32년 만에 전부개정이 되어, 자치분권이 한층 강화될 수 있는 기반을 마련하였다. 특히, 지방자치법 개정법 제4조에 의하면 현재 지방자치단체의 일반적인 형태인 기관대립형 지방정부 유형에 다양한 변화 모색의 가능성을 열어두고 있다. 한국사회에서 일반적으로 이해되고 있는 지방자치단체의 모델은 기관대립형으로 이를 통해 민주주의의 견제와 균형의 조화가 잘 모색될 수 있다고 일반적으로 이해한다. 높은 수준의 민주주의 원리를 실천하고 있는 미국에서도 지방자치단체 구성으로 기관융합형 모델이 기관대립형 모델과 더불어 활용되고 있다. 미국에서 다양한 기관구성 모델에서 견제와 균형이 어떻게 조화롭게 이루어지고 있는지 검토하고 이러한 분석이 우리 지방자치단체 모델의 다양화에 줄 수 있는 시사점을 검토한다. Local autonomy is constitutionally guaranteed according to Articles 117 and 118 of the Korean Constitution. Our Constitution takes the structure of entrusting the legislator with the specific formation of the local self-government system, such as the organization and operation of local governments. The Local Autonomy Act was fully amended for the first time in 32 years, laying the foundation for further strengthening of autonomy and decentralization. In particular, according to Article 4 of the Amendment to the Local Autonomy Act, the possibility of seeking various changes in the type of local governments will be widely opened. It is generally understood that the model of local governments is an institutional separation type in Korea, and through this, checks and balances of democracy can be well sought. In the United States, where the principle of high-level democracy is being practiced, the institutional convergence(integration) model is being used together with the institutional separation model. In the United States, I examine whether checks and balances are harmonized in various model of institutional structure, and the implications that this analysis can give to the model of diversification of our local government model are reviewed.