• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.237-246
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• 2008

Purpose: Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) were found to reduce the incidence of acute and late rectal toxicity compared with conventional radiation therapy (RT), although acute and late urinary toxicities were not reduced significantly. Acute urinary toxicity, even at a low-grade, not only has an impact on a patient's quality of life, but also can be used as a predictor for chronic urinary toxicity. With bladder filling, part of the bladder moves away from the radiation field, resulting in a small irradiated bladder volume; hence, urinary toxicity can be decreased. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of bladder volume on acute urinary toxicity during RT in patients with prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: Forty two patients diagnosed with prostate cancer were treated by 3DCRT and of these, 21 patients made up a control group treated without any instruction to control the bladder volume. The remaining 21 patients in the experimental group were treated with a full bladder after drinking 450 mL of water an hour before treatment. We measured the bladder volume by CT and ultrasound at simulation to validate the accuracy of ultrasound. During the treatment period, we measured bladder volume weekly by ultrasound, for the experimental group, to evaluate the variation of the bladder volume. Results: A significant correlation between the bladder volume measured by CT and ultrasound was observed. The bladder volume in the experimental group varied with each patient despite drinking the same amount of water. Although weekly variations of the bladder volume were very high, larger initial CT volumes were associated with larger mean weekly bladder volumes. The mean bladder volume was $299{\pm}155\;mL$ in the experimental group, as opposed to $187{\pm}155\;mL$ in the control group. Patients in experimental group experienced less acute urinary toxicities than in control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. A trend of reduced toxicity was observed with the increase of CT bladder volume. In patients with bladder volumes greater than 150 mL at simulation, toxicity rates of all grades were significantly lower than in patients with bladder volume less than 150 mL. Also, patients with a mean bladder volume larger than 100 mL during treatment showed a slightly reduced Grade 1 urinary toxicity rate compared to patients with a mean bladder volume smaller than 100 mL. Conclusion: Despite the large variability in bladder volume during the treatment period, treating patients with a full bladder reduced acute urinary toxicities in patients with prostate cancer. We recommend that patients with prostate cancer undergo treatment with a full bladder.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.913-918
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• 2006

Both raw wastewater and effluent from a rubber products manufacturing factory were found to be toxic to Daphnia magna though the effluent satisfied current water quality standards. Thus, in order to reduce toxicity, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) such as gamma-ray (${\gamma}-ray$) treatment and ozonation ($O_3$) were applied. A combined ${\gamma}-rays/O_3$ treatment at 20 kGy after coagulation significantly reduced toxicity of raw wastewater, changing 48-h toxic unit (TU) value from 201.21 to 23.92. However, toxicity of treated water was higher than that of effluent (TU = 12.15). This shows limitation of gamma-ray treatment to remove toxicity of raw wastewater. In case of effluent, the combined ${\gamma}-rays/O_3$ treatment at 20 kGy efficiently decomposed toxic compounds down to non toxic level. This work strongly supports the necessity of toxicity reduction evaluation as well as toxicity-based effluent management.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.376-382
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• 2012

Environment-friendly agro-materials are are likely to be preferred to chemical insecticides recently. For this reason, many studies are conducted to develop environment-friendly insecticides containing natural materials. This study was also conducted so as to assess ecotoxicity for Emulsifiable concentrate (EC) containing 30% of garlic extract or two plant essential oils (Zanthoxylum, Lemongrass) expected to prevent from pests and be used for agro-materials. Target species used to assess acute toxicity were invertebrate (Daphina magna), fish (Oryzias latipes), honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) and earthworm (Eisenia fetida). The $EC_{50}$ values for of garlic extract 30% EC, Zanthoxylum oil 30% EC and lemongrass oil 30% EC to Daphina magna were 3.3, 10, and $10mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. The category of garlic extract 30% EC was moderately toxic, while those of Zanthoxylum oil 30% EC and lemongrass oil 30% EC were slightly toxic according to standard of USEPA. $EC_{50}$ for both of Zanthoxylum oil 30% EC and lemongrass oil 30% EC were more than $10mg\;L^{-1}$ then they were considered as slightly toxicity. In case of acute toxicity test to fish, $LC_{50}$ of garlic extract 30% EC was $3.3mg\;L^{-1}$. Zanthoxylum oil 30% EC and lemongrass oil 30% EC indicated $LC_{50}$ > $10mg\;L^{-1}$. Classification of acute toxicity to all test substances was in Korea criteria. Acute contact and oral toxicity test to Honeybee were conducted. As a result, $LD_{50}$ of all test substances were more than 100 a.i. ${\mu}g\;bee^{-1}$ in the acute contact test while $LD_{50}$ of garlic extract 30% EC was 4.4 a.i. ${\mu}g\;bee^{-1}$ and $LD_{50}$ of Zanthoxylum oil 30% EC and lemongrass oil 30% EC were more than 100 a.i. ${\mu}g\;bee^{-1}$. In case of acute toxicity test to earthworm, $LC_{50}$ of garlic extract 30% EC, Zanthoxylum oil 30% EC and lemongrass oil 30% EC were 267, 592, and $430mg\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. In conclusion, if the safety for earthworm is confirmed, these substances are expected to be use for environment-friendly insecticide materials with low risk against ecosystem and contribute to developing environment-friendly agro-materials.

• ALGAE
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.157-166
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• 2005

Uptake kinetics of Cd and Zn by leaves and rhizome of the seagrass Zostera marina were examined in controlled laboratory radiotracer experiments. Subsequently, acute toxicity of Cd, Cu and TBT on photosynthetic quantum yield (ΔF/Fm’ of Z. marina were determined, and the differential sensitivities of rapid light curve (RLC) to those harmful substances were also compared. All measurements on photosynthetic activity were determined by chlorophyll a fluorescence method using pulse amplitude modulation (PAM). Metal uptake by Z. marina was saturated with increasing exposure time in leaves and rhizomes. Uptake of Zn by Z. marina was faster than that of Cd. Metal uptake rates in Z. marina decreased with the increase of dissolved metal concentrations and also with the increase of biomass. The adverse effect of TBT on effective quantum yield was stronger than other pollutants. Average acute toxicity on the RLC of the seagrass exposed to TBT and two heavy metals (Cd and Cu) was going to decrease as follows: TBT > Cd > Cu. Our preliminary results in this study suggested that Z. marina potentially can be used as a biomonitor of harmful substances contamination in coastal waters.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.99-102
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• 2012

Bee venom (Apis mellifera L. BV) has been used as a cosmetic ingredient for anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial functions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity after a single dermal administration of BV, BV was administered to 2 groups of Sprague-Dawley (SD) male and female rats (5 animals/group) at doses of 0 and 1,500 mg/kg body weight (BW). Mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes and gross findings were continually monitored for 15 days following the single dose. There were no unscheduled deaths in any groups during the study period. No BV related clinical signs and body weight changes were observed in any groups during the study period. There were no abnormal gross findings at necropsy on day 15 after the treatment. On the basis of the above results, it was concluded that there were no treatment-related effect on mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes and gross findings in SD rats treated with a single dermal dose of BV at dose of 1,500 mg/kg BW. Therefore, the approximate lethal dose of BV was considered to be over 1,500 mg/kg/day for both sexes of rats. BV may provide a developmental basis for a cosmetic ingredient or external application for topical uses.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.200-203
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• 2003

The present study was carried out to investigate the potential acute toxicity of bamboo leaf water extract by a single oral dose in Sprague-Dawley rats. Twenty male and female rats aged 5 weeks were randomly assigned to four groups of 5 rats each and were administered singly by gavage at dose levels of 0, 1250, 2500, or 5000 mg/kg body weight. Mortalities, clinical findings, and body weight changes were monitored for the l4-day period following the administration. At the end of 14-day observation period, all animals were sacrificed and complete gross postmortem examinations were performed. Throughout the study period, no treatment-related deaths were observed. There were no adverse effects on clinical signs, body weight, and gross finding at any dose tested. The results showed that the single oral administration of bamboo leaf water extract did not induce any toxic effect at a dose level of below 5000 mg/kg in rats and that the minimal lethal dose were considered to be over 5000 mg/kg body weight for both sexes.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.103-107
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• 1999

In order to evaluate acute toxicity of Coptidis rhizoma, 6 week- and 13 week-old male ICR mice received Coptidis rhizoma extract (600~4,800 mg/kg body weight) orally, and toxicological responses were observed for consecutive 7 days. In the mice received relatively high concentration of Coptidis rhizoma($\geq$1,200mg/kg), death occurred within 3 hrs after oral administration, and its ratio in 13 week-old mice was conspicuously higher than that in 6 week-old mice. $LD_{50}$ of Coptidis rhizoma were estimated to bi 2,575 mg/kg and 1,490 mg/kg body weight in 6 week and 13 week-old mice, respectively. Coptidis rhizoma-treated animals manifested a variety of abnormal clinical findings such as ptosis, crouching, lethargy, convulsion, bizarre behavior and truning sideway. These abnormalities also ranked highly in the 13 week-old mice compared to those in the 6 week-old mice. In addition to abnormal behaviors, Coptidis rhizoma($\geq$1,200 mg/Kg) significantly elevated the urinary contents of bilirubin, urobilirubin, protein and glucose, and values in 13 week-old mice was higher than those in 6 week-old animals. No toxicological response was observed at concentration less than 600 mg/kg. Our results clearly demonstrate that susceptibility of mice to Coptidis rhizoma may be related with age, indicating that younger age mice is more resistant to the Coptidis rhizoma than the older, and toxicological mechanism of Coptidis rhizoma may be closely associated with its pharmacological mechanism.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.439-443
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• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate the potential acute toxicity of Aralia elata by a single oral dose in ICR mice. Thirty mice of each sex were randomly assigned to three groups of 10 mice each. The test articles were administered once by the gavage to mice at dose levels of 0, 2,500 and 5,000 mg/kg body weight. The mortality and changes on body weight and clinical signs of gross observation were monitored for 14 days after dosing. At the end of 14-day observation period, all animals were sacrificed and complete gross postmortem examinations were performed. There were no dead animal and adverse effects on clinical signs, the body weight and the gross finding. As the results, we could not find any toxic effect at the dose levels of 2,500 or 5,000 mg/kg in mice and the minimal lethal dose was considered to be over 5,000 mg/kg body weight in mice.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.167-170
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• 2000

The present study was conducted to investigate the acute toxicity of plant sterol ester by a single oral dose in Sprague-Dawley rats. Ten males and 10 females aged 5 weeks were randomly assigned to two groups of 5 rats each and were administered by gavage at dose level of 0 or 20 ml/kg body weight. Parameters measured during the 14-day observation period were mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, and gross findings. No mortality was observed in the present study. Treatment-related clinical signs, such as pasty stool and diarrhea, were observed on the day of treatment and these signs resulted in soiled fur on day 1 after the treatment. However, no clinical signs were observed on days 2-14 after the treatment. There was no significant difference in body weight changes between the control and treatment groups. At necropsy on day 14 after the treatment, no treatment-related gross findings were observed in the treatment group. Based on these results, it was concluded that a single oral dose of plant sterol ester induced pasty stool and diarrhea in Sprague-Dawley rats at dose level of 20 ml/kg and that the lethal doses were considered to be over 20 ml/kg for both sexes.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.325-328
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• 2004

The present study was carried out to investigate the potential acute toxicity of Balbusae caulis in taeniam by a single oral dose in Sprague-Dawley rats. Twenty rats of each sex were randomly assigned to four groups of 5 rats each and were administered singly by gavage at dose levels of 0, 1250, 2500, and 5000 mg/kg body weight. Mortalities, clinical findings, and body weight changes were monitored for the 14-day period following administration. At the end of 14-day observation period, all animals were sacrificed and complete gross postmortem examinations were per-formed. Throughout the study period, no treatment-related deaths were observed. There were no adverse effects on clinical signs, body weight, and gross finding at any dose tested. The results showed that the single oral administration of Balbusae caulis in taeniam did not cause any toxic effect at the dose levels of 5000 mg/kg or lower in rats and the minimal lethal dose was considered to be over 5000 mg/kg body weight for both sexes.