• Toxicological Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.265-271
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• 2015

This study was carried out to investigate contents of 8 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from frequently consumed seafood and dairy products and to evaluate their chemical analysis methods. Samples were collected from markets of 9 cities in Korea chosen as the population reference and evaluated. The methodology involved saponification, extraction with n-hexane, clean-up on Sep-Pak silica cartridges and gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry analysis. Validation proceeded on 2 matrices. Recoveries for 8 PAHs ranged from 86.87 to 103.57%. The limit of detection (LOD) 8 PAHs was $0.04{\sim}0.20{\mu}g/kg$, and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 8 PAHs was $0.12{\sim}0.60{\mu}g/kg$. The mean concentration of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) was $0.34{\mu}g/kg$ from seafood and $0.34{\mu}g/kg$ from dairy products. The total PAHs concentration was $1.06{\mu}g/kg$ in seafood and $1.52{\mu}g/kg$ in dairy products.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.107-116
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• 2002

GLP regulations were initially “promulgated to address assuring the validity of data in the wake of investigations by EPA and FDA during the mid -1970's which revealed that some studies submitted to the agencies had not been conducted in accordance with acceptable laboratory practices.” [1] In the early 1970s, results of an investigation by the FDA in about 40 laboratories revealed many cases of badly managed studies, poor training of personnel and some cases of deliberate fraud. The general findings were that there were poorly trained study directors and study personnel, poorly designed protocols, protocols not followed, procedures not conducted as described, raw data badly collected, data not correctly identified, data without traceability, data not verified and approved by responsible persons, lack of standardised procedures, poor animal husbandry, inadequate characterisation of test items and test systems, inadequate resources, equipment poorly calibrated or otherwise qualified, reports not sufficiently verified, not an accurate account of the actual study, not a proper reflection of raw data and inadequate archiving of data. These problems are not just past history, since they resurface time and time again, even in quite recent times as the experience of GLP inspectors shows [1]. The GLPs specify minimum practices and procedures in order to ensure the quality and integrity of data submitted in accordance with a regulatory requirement

• Toxicological Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.297-301
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• 2003

To investigate biomarker-based exposure to phthalates and related factors with demographics, 100 subjects who had participated in comprehensive health check-up were selected. We collected demographics through questionnaires and analyzed urine samples for 5 phthalates. Statistical likelihoods and regression methods were applied for data analysis using censored data. The highest levels of urine phthalates were 216$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml in di-isodecyl phthalate, 29.0$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml in di-butyl phthalate, 5.78$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml in di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. The median values of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate were 0.2340 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml for male smokers, 0.0399 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml for male non-smokers and 0.0085 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml for female non-smokers, respectively. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate and di-isodecyl phthalate were higher in males than in females. In addition, mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate was decreased with age. Our findings suggest that there might be significant demographic variations in exposure and/or metabolism of phthalates, and that health-risk assessment for phthalate exposure in humans should consider different potential risk groups.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.173-182
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• 2017

In silico methods to predict toxicity include the use of (Quantitative) Structure-Activity Relationships ((Q)SARs) as well as grouping (category formation) allowing for read-across. A challenging area for in silico modelling is the prediction of chronic toxicity and the No Observed (Adverse) Effect Level (NO(A)EL) in particular. A proposed solution to the prediction of chronic toxicity is to consider organ level effects, as opposed to modelling the NO(A)EL itself. This review has focussed on the use of structural alerts to identify potential liver toxicants. In silico profilers, or groups of structural alerts, have been developed based on mechanisms of action and informed by current knowledge of Adverse Outcome Pathways. These profilers are robust and can be coded computationally to allow for prediction. However, they do not cover all mechanisms or modes of liver toxicity and recommendations for the improvement of these approaches are given.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2017

Purpose: This study examined the patterns of drugs, poisons, and chemicals detected in autopsy samples performed in the Seoul Institute and other regional forensic offices of the National Forensic Service (NFS) between 2014 and 2016. Methods: The investigation carried out using the laboratory information management system. Forensic toxicological identification and quantitation were performed in autopsy samples, including heart blood, peripheral blood, liver, kidney, vitreous humor and etc. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were used to analyze the drugs and poisons. Results: Forensic autopsies were performed on 9,674 cases in this period. Based on the autopsy reports, 699 cases (7.2%) were considered as unnatural deaths caused by fatal intoxication. The number of male deaths was higher than that of female deaths, with the age of 50-59 being the most common age group. Conclusion: Drugs comprised the largest number of deaths due to poison, followed by alcohol, agrochemicals, drug with alcohol, carbon monoxide, and cyanide, in that order. Zolpidem was the most frequently used drug in all drug-related intoxication cases.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.27-35
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• 2008

Purpose : The experiments was undertaken to evaluate the effects of Ojeoksan-herbal medicine, in rats' fetus Methods : Female Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered with the Ojeoksan at dose of 5mg/kg/day for 20 days. Pregnant rats were sacrificed at 20th day of gestation, and observed internal and reproductive organs. Approximately live fetuses in the 20th day of gestation were randomly selected and fixed in 95% ethanol. Results : Neonatal body weight and number of fetus of Ojeoksan group were increased to that of control group. The fetuses of dams treated with Ojeoksan didn't showed external malformation. Vertebral and sternal skeletal variations were observed in Ojeoksan administered group, but compared to the control, those skeletal variations were insignificant. There were no significant changes in number of ribs, cervical, thoracic, lumber, sacral and caudal Conclusion : From these results, it can be concluded that Ojeoksan showed no toxicity effects on number of live fetuses. There were no significant changes in skeletal variations were showed in vertebrate and sternum, Ojeoksan weren't shown significant changes in bone malformation. We need more precise study to investigate the mechanism of early or late resorption by the herbal medicines such as Ojeoksan.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.199-208
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• 2007

Although many studies have focused on the biological and toxicological effects of phenol products, in particular, in reproductive tracts, the data about their effects in this estrogenic responsive tissue are much less clear. In addition, the in vitro and in vivo data concerning ED-adverse impacts in other endocrine organs, i.e. pituitary gland, are not understood well either. Thus, a further study is needed for providing a new insight into possible impacts of estrogenic EDs including phenol products in humans and wildlife. A combination of in vitro and in vivo system for examining EDs may bring better understanding into the regulatory mechanisms underlying EDs-induced events. In addition, this information may support for developing optimal screening methods of estrogenic EDs, in particular, phenol products.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was performed to observe the toxicological changes caused by a single exposure to benzo[a]pyrene. Methods: Based on the results of a preliminary study, 300 mg/kg was set as the middle dose. A highest dose of 2,000 mg/kg and a lowest dose of 50 mg/kg were selected based on GHS guidelines. Benzo[a]pyrene was orally administered once to female and male SD rats at dose levels of 50, 300, and 2,000 mg/kg(body weight). All animals were monitored daily for clinical signs and mortality over 14 days. Hematological and biochemical values were examined as well. Results: There were neither dead animals nor significant changes in body weights during the experimental period. In addition, no differences were found between the control and treated groups in clinical sign, hematology, serum biochemical, and histopathological analysis. Conclusion: Compared with the control group, we could not detect any toxic alteration in all treated groups. These studies indicate that the acute toxicity of benzo[a]pyrene is relatively low.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.315-323
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• 2017

Preconceptual sex selection is still a highly debatable process whereby X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa are isolated prior to fertilization of the oocyte. Although various separation techniques are available, none can guarantee 100% accuracy. The aim of this study was to separate X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa using methods based on the viability difference between the X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa. A total of 18 experimental semen samples were used, written consent was obtained from all donors and results were analysed in a blinded fashion. Spermatozoa were exposed to different pH values (5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5, and 9.5), increased temperatures ($37^{\circ}C$, $41^{\circ}C$, and $45^{\circ}C$) and ROS level ($50{\mu}M$, $750{\mu}M$, and $1,000{\mu}M$). The live and dead cell separation was done through a modified swim-up technique. Changes in the sex-chromosome ratio of samples were established by double-label fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) before and after processing. The results indicated successful enrichment of X-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa upon incubation in acidic media, increased temperatures, and elevated $H_2O_2$. This study demonstrated the potential role for exploring the physiological differences between X-and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa in the development of preconceptual gender selection.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.343-353
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• 2016

Oligochaetes distribute widely in freshwater ecosystem, and some species are used as bioindicators for water quality assessment because they are tolerant to organic enrichment. They are acknowledged for potential for environmental health recovery of organic polluted environment. There are a lot of studies on ecology and toxicity assessment using oligochaetes in aquatic environment. In this study, we reviewed literature on ecotoxicology of aquatic oligochaetes. We searched literature from a database 'google scholar' by using keywords such as aquatic, oligochaete, and toxicity. The literature were summarized according to publication years, species, test methods, and chemicals. We obtained 133 articles published from 1953 to 2015 from the database. Among them, 58 papers(43.6% of total) have been published in 1990s. Three species(Lumnbriculus variegatus, Tubifex tubifex, and Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri) have been used most frequently in the study. Different species displayed different toxicological responses to different toxic chemicals. The results on the ecotoxicological study with aquatic oligochaetes revealed the possibility of the development for early warning system using aquatic oligochaetes to monitor aquatic ecosystem disturbance.