• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.177-186
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• 2013

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in industry is increasing, bringing with it a number of adverse health effects on workers. Like other chemical carcinogens, NPs can cause cancer via oxidative DNA damage. Of all the molecules vulnerable to oxidative modification by NPs, DNA has received the greatest attention, and biomarkers of exposure and effect are nearing validation. This review concentrates on studies published between 2000 and 2012 that attempted to detect oxidative DNA damage in humans, laboratory animals, and cell lines. It is important to review these studies to improve the current understanding of the oxidative DNA damage caused by NP exposure in the workplace. In addition to examining studies on oxidative damage, this review briefly describes NPs, giving some examples of their adverse effects, and reviews occupational exposure assessments and approaches to minimizing exposure (e.g., personal protective equipment and engineering controls such as fume hoods). Current recommendations to minimize exposure are largely based on common sense, analogy to ultrafine material toxicity, and general health and safety recommendations.

• CELLMED
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.14.1-14.6
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• 2018

Santalum album Linn. [Family: Santalaceae] is commonly known as white sandalwood, sandal safaid and safed chandan. It is one of the most valuable trees and second costliest wood in the world. Sandalwood and its oil is extensively used in the Unani and other traditional systems of medicine as it has blood purifier, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, exhilarant, cardiotonic, antiseptic, nervine tonic and expectorant properties. It is used in skin, cardiac, liver, gastrointestinal, respiratory, integument and urogenital disorders. These uses are supported and proven by many in vitro or in vivo studies. The proven pharmacological activities of S. album are antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and anti-fatigue. The research has proven that sandal oil or its constituents have anti-microbial activity. Sandalwood oil showed skin cancer preventive effect in mice and its constituent alpha santalol showed the anticancer property. The methanolic extract of wood was confirmed for antioxidant, free radical scavenging, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ santalols present in sandal oil showed sedative effects. Sandalwood tea had a significant effect on heart muscles of frog and showed increased myocardial contractility. Its oil showed significant changes in hepatic xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes. Sandalwood oil and its major constituents showed less acute oral and dermal toxicity in laboratory animals. Hence, the aforementioned studies justify the uses of sandalwood and its oil mentioned in the classical Unani literature. However, further clinical trials are suggested to confirm its efficacy and safety in humans.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.75-82
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• 2012

We have developed and optimized a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) for simultaneous detection of Brucella, Salmonella and Leptospira with high sensitivity and specificity. Three pairs of oligonucleotide primers were designed to specifically amplify the targeted genes of Salmonella, Leptospira and Brucella species with sizes of 521, 408 and 223 bp, respectively. The mPCR did not produce any nonspecific amplification products when tested against 15 related species of bacteria. The sensitivity of the mPCR was 100 fg for Brucella and 1 pg for both Salmonella and Leptospira species. In the field application, kidney, liver and spleen were collected from wild rats and stray cats and examined by mPCR. The high specificity and sensitivity of this mPCR assay provide a valuable tool for diagnosis and for the simultaneous and rapid detection of three zoonotic bacteria that cause disease in both humans and animals. Therefore, this assay could be a useful alternative to the conventional method of culture and single PCR for the detection of each pathogen.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.148-160
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• 2023

Depression is a neuropsychiatric disorder associated with persistent stress and disruption of neuronal function. Persistent stress causes neuronal atrophy, including loss of synapses and reduced size of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. These alterations are associated with neural dysfunction, including mood disturbances, cognitive impairment, and behavioral changes. Synaptic plasticity is the fundamental function of neural networks in response to various stimuli and acts by reorganizing neuronal structure, function, and connections from the molecular to the behavioral level. In this review, we describe the alterations in synaptic plasticity as underlying pathological mechanisms for depression in animal models and humans. We further elaborate on the significance of phytochemicals as bioactive agents that can positively modulate stress-induced, aberrant synaptic activity. Bioactive agents, including flavonoids, terpenes, saponins, and lignans, have been reported to upregulate brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression and release, suppress neuronal loss, and activate the relevant signaling pathways, including TrkB, ERK, Akt, and mTOR pathways, resulting in increased spine maturation and synaptic numbers in the neuronal cells and in the brains of stressed animals. In clinical trials, phytochemical usage is regarded as safe and well-tolerated for suppressing stress-related parameters in patients with depression. Thus, intake of phytochemicals with safe and active effects on synaptic plasticity may be a strategy for preventing neuronal damage and alleviating depression in a stressful life.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.916-924
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• 2017

Eighty-five Enterococcus faecalis isolates collected from animals (40 isolates), meju (a Korean fermented soybean product; 27 isolates), humans (10 isolates), and various environmental samples (8 isolates) were subjected to multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to identify genetic differences between samples of different origins. MLST analysis resulted in 44 sequence types (STs), and the eBURST algorithm clustered the STs into 21 clonal complexes (CCs) and 17 singletons. The predominant STs, ST695 (21.1%, 18/85) and ST694 (9.4%, 8/85), were singletons, and only contained isolates originating from meju. None of the STs in the current study belonged to CC2 or CC9, which comprise clinical isolates with high levels of antibiotic resistance. The E. faecalis isolates showed the highest rates of resistance to tetracycline (32.9%), followed by erythromycin (9.4%) and vancomycin (2.4%). All isolates from meju were sensitive to these three antibiotics. Hence, MLST uncovered genetic diversity within E. faecalis, and clustering of the STs using eBURST revealed a correlation between the genotypes and origins of the isolates.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.880-893
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• 2015

Taurine is an abundant amino acid in many animals, including humans. Relatively large amounts of taurine are found in leukocytes, heart, muscles, retinas, kidneys, bones, and liver. Taurine has antioxidant effects; it reacts with hydrogen peroxide to prevent oxidation of the cell membrane. Taurine enhances the effects of anticancer drugs, while also reducing side effects, and taurolidine, a taurine derivative, has been shown to exhibit anti-cancer effects without notable side effects in several types of cancer. Taurine aids in cholesterol metabolism by increasing the rate of synthesis of bile acids, and, thus, reduces triglyceride levels. In addition, taurine is involved in the growth and differentiation of nerve cells and is associated with some neurological disorders. Taurine aids in bone formation and prevents bone dissolution. Moreover, taurine prevents liver damage from a variety of drugs and, thus, protects the liver. Taurine is involved in the development and function of the retina and lens. It also has anti-atherosclerotic and anti-thrombotic effects that protect against cardiovascular disease. Taurine may have additional physiological functions, and warrants further investigation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.73-85
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• 2002

Decadence is a phenomenon that people express fear from their inside, so unsound aspects appear in the social culture when the existing society is about to be collapsed. This study covered the cultural and aesthetic meaning and the role of decadence by examining the concept and phenomenon of it and analyzing the real case of expression appeared in the modern fashion. Characteristics of decadent phenomenon were divided into sexual corruption, ideality, cynicism and extreme technique, and decadent expression appeared in the fashion images was examined based on the divided phenomenon. Main results are as fellows. People bring the incidents that animals go through into relief, sticking to animal instinct when the society is on the decline. At that time, sexual decadence becomes remarkable, so voyeurism by exposure in their dress is deepen, revealing abnormal sexual propensity with bisexual tendency and sexual perversion. The real facts and appearance of people are revealed by transforming and distorting bodies for the fear of humans inside suppressed in the fin-de-siecle mood. The sense of alienation and helplessness of people anxious about the future is developed to cynicism expressing the uncertain emotion in their dress, and the formative methods of dismantlement. destruction and abrasion appear to form sickly images in the gloomy and cold mood. The intention of affirmative decadence is realized by mixing heterogeneous styles and producing new things. Extreme decorative technique and gorgeousness are even mysterious and show the highest refinement.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.357-365
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• 2014

Purpose: The continued increase in the world population has triggered an increased demand for food. Cereal grains, flour, and their products constitute the staple diet for most of the world's population. This high demand for food, particularly for cereal-based products, has been exploited for commercial gain through adulteration of food materials. We provide a thorough review of the current developments and limitations of modern, nondestructive analytical techniques used for detection of adulterants in cereals and their products and compare them with conventional methods. Results: Adulterated food poses a serious health risks to humans, animals, and the ecosystem in general. Over the last few decades, the adulteration industry has developed fraudulent practices that often outsmart conventional methods of detection and quality control. Therefore, technological advancements to aid in detection and measurement of adulterants in food products and to ensure food quality and safety are critically important to consumers worldwide. Conclusion: There is a continuous demand for development of nondestructive technology to improve the accuracy and efficiency of detection, measurement, and qualification of adulterants in cereals and other food materials.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.411-418
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• 2012

Phthalates and di-2-ethylhexyladipate are both widely used as industrial chemicals and exposure high levels over long periods of time can cause toxicity, estrogenic responses and endocrine disruption properties in both humans and animals. So far, their global monitoring in environmental matrices has been performed continuously. A developed method, including modified SPEED'98 (Japan Environment Agency) and USEPA was established for simple and rapid determination of phthalates and di-2-ethylhexyladipate in various matrices. This method was applied to explore the distribution levels in domestic environmental media such as water, soil and sediment. Eight phthalates (DEP(di-ethyl), DEHP(di-[2-ethyl-hexyl]), DprP (di-propyl), DBP(di-n-butyl), DPP(di-n-pentyl), DHP(di-n-hexyl), DCHP(di-cyclohexyl), BBP(butyl benzyl) and Adipate (di-2-ethylhexyl adipate) were investigated by seasonal sampling(spring, autumn) at 24 domestic sites. Phthalates and adipate were not detected in water samples and DEP, DBP, and DEHP were mainly detected in soil and sediment samples. The concentrations of DEP and DBP excluding DEHP in spring were higher in soil than those of sediment. Total concentrations of phthalates were significantly decreased in autumn for both soil and sediment.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.2
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• pp.425-437
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• 2024

Exercise plays an important role in regulating energy homeostasis, which affects the diversity of the intestinal microbial community in humans and animals. To the best of the authors' knowledge, few studies have reported the associations between horse gut microbiota along with their predicted metabolic activities and the athletic ability of Jeju horses and Thoroughbreds living in Korea. This study was conducted to investigate the association between the gut microbiota and athletic performance in horses. This study sequenced the V3 and V4 hypervariable regions of the partial 16S rRNA genes obtained from racehorse fecal samples and compared the fecal microbiota between high- and low-performance Jeju horses and Thoroughbreds. Forty-nine fecal samples were divided into four groups: high-performance Jeju horses (HJ, n = 13), low-performance Jeju horses (LJ, n = 17), high-performance Thoroughbreds (HT, n = 9), and low-performance Thoroughbreds (LT, n = 10). The high-performance horse groups had a higher diversity of the bacterial community than the low-performance horse groups. Two common functional metabolic activities of the hindgut microbiota (i.e., tryptophan and succinate syntheses) were observed between the low-performance horse groups, indicating dysbiosis of gut microbiota and fatigue from exercise. On the other hand, high-performance horse groups showed enriched production of polyamines, butyrate, and vitamin K. The racing performance may be associated with the composition of the intestinal microbiota of Jeju horses and Thoroughbreds in Korea.