Gene expression levels of choriogenin, vitellogenin, and estrogen receptor were determined using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique after exposure to estrogenic chemicals to compare the sensitivities of the biomarkers of endocrine disruption in medaka, Oryzias latipes. Mature male medaka were treated with a single dose of 100 µ/ l of 17α-ethinylestradiol, nonylphenol, and bisphenol A for 6 days, then RNA was extracted from the livers of treated fish for RT-PCR. Primers of RT-PCR for choriogenin H and L, and estrogen receptor were synthesized based on previously known cDNA sequences, and primers for vitellogenin I and II were synthesized based on the partial cDNA which was sequenced in this study. When the five biomarker genes were amplified by RT-PCR under the same condition, the mRNA induction level of each gene was elevated with different sensitivities. Conclusively, choriogenin L, which is a precursor of zona radiata protein (ZI-3) with molecular weight of 49 kD, showed the most sensitive gene expression in all the treated groups.

The Chemical Accidents Response Information System (CARIS) was developed at the Center for Chemical Safety Management in South Korea in order to track and predict the dispersion of hazardous chemicals in the case of an accident or terrorist attack involving chemical companies. The main objective of CARIS is to facilitate an efficient emergency response to hazardous chemical accidents by rapidly providing key information in the decision-making process. In particular, the atmospheric modeling system implemented in CARIS, which is composed of a real-time numerical weather forecasting model and an air pollution dispersion model, can be used as a tool to forecast concentrations and to provide a wide range of assessments associated with various hazardous chemicals in real time. This article introduces the components of CARIS and describes its operational modeling system. Some examples of the operational modeling system and its use for emergency preparedness are presented and discussed. Finally, this article evaluates the current numerical weather prediction model for Korea.

No abstract

No abstract