• Toxicological Research
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.329-337
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• 2010

Inhaled inorganic dusts, such as coal, can cause inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs, known as pneumoconiosis. Diagnosis of pneumoconiosis depends on morphological changes by radiological findings and functional change by pulmonary function test (PFT). Unfortunately, current diagnostic findings are limited only to lung fibrosis, which is usually irreversibly progressive. Therefore, it is important that research on potential and prospective biomarkers for pneumoconiosis should be conducted prior to initiation of irreversible radiological or functional changes in the lungs. Analytical techniques using exhaled breath condensate (EBC) or exhaled gas are non-invasive methods for detection of various respiratory diseases. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers, such as EBC pH or fractional exhaled nitric oxide ($FE_{NO}$), and pneumoconiosis among 120 retired coal miners (41 controls and 79 pneumoconiosis patients). Levels of EBC pH and FENO did not show a statistically significant difference between the pneumoconiosis patient group and pneumoconiosis patients with small opacity classified by International Labor Organization (ILO) classification. The mean concentration of $FE_{NO}$ in the low percentage $FEV_1$ (< 80%) was lower than that in the high percentage (80% $\leq$) (p = 0.023). The mean concentration of $FE_{NO}$ in current smokers was lower than that in non smokers (never or past smokers) (p = 0.027). Although there was no statistical significance, the levels of $FE_{NO}$ in smokers tended to decrease, compared with non smokers, regardless of pneumoconiosis. In conclusion, there was no significant relationship between the level of EBC pH or $FE_{NO}$ and radiological findings or PFT. The effects between exhaled biomarkers and pneumoconiosis progression, such as decreasing PFT and exacerbation of radiological findings, should be monitored.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.9-14
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• 2010

The evaluation of eye and skin irritation potential is essential to ensuring the safety of human in contact with a wide variety of substances. Despite this importance of irritation test, little is known with respect to the irritation potency of lomefloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, which has been known to cause phototoxicity with an abnormal reaction of the skin. Thus, to investigate the tendency of lomefloxacin to cause eye and skin irritation, we carried out in vitro eye irritation test using Balb/c 3T3, and in vitro skin irritation test using $KeraSkin^{TM}$ human skin model system. 3T3 neutral red uptake assay has been proposed as a potential replacement alternative for the Draize Eye irritation test. In this study, the $IC_{50}$ value obtained for lomefloxacin was 375 ${\mu}g$. According to the classification model used for determining in vitro categories, lomefloxacin was classified as moderately irritant. For evaluation of skin irritation, engineered epidermal equivalents ($KeraSkin^{TM}$) were subjected to 10 and 25 mg of lomefloxacin for 15 minutes. Tissue damage was assessed by tissue viability evaluation, and by the release of a pro-inflammatory mediator, interleukin- 1${\alpha}$. Lomefloxacin increased the interleukin-1${\alpha}$ release after 15 minutes of exposure and 42 hours of post incubation, although no decrease in viability was observed. Therefore, lomefloxacin is considered to be moderately irritant to skin and eye.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.337-343
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• 2016

We determined the toxicity of mixtures of ethyl acetate (EA), isopropyl alcohol (IPA), methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), toluene (TOL) and xylene (XYL) with half-maximal effective concentration ($EC_{50}$) values obtained using human hepatocytes cells. According to these data, quantitative property-activity relationships (QPAR) models were successfully proposed to predict the toxicity of mixtures by multiple linear regressions (MLR). The leave-one-out cross validation method was used to find the best subsets of descriptors in the learning methods. Significant differences in physico-chemical properties such as boiling point (BP), specific gravity (SG), Reid vapor pressure (rVP) and flash point (FP) were observed between the single substances and the mixtures. The $EC_{50}$ of the mixture of EA and IPA was significantly lower than that of contained TOL and XYL. The mixture toxicity was related to the mixing ratio of MEK, TOL and XYL (MLR equation $EC_{50}=3.3081-2.5018{\times}TOL-3.2595{\times}XYL-12.6596{\times}MEK{\times}XYL$), as well as to BP, SG, VP and FP (MLR equation $EC_{50}=1.3424+6.2250{\times}FP-7.1198{\times}SG{\times}FP-0.03013{\times}rVP{\times}FP$). These results suggest that QPAR-based models could accurately predict the toxicity of polar and nonpolar mixtures used in rotogravure printing industries.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.311-316
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• 2016

Effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on skin corrosion and irritation using three-dimensional human skin models were investigated based on the test guidelines of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD TG431 and TG439). EpiDerm$^{TM}$ skin was incubated with NPs including those harboring iron (FeNPs), aluminum oxide (AlNPs), titanium oxide (TNPs), and silver (AgNPs) for a defined time according to the test guidelines. Cell viabilities of EpiDerm$^{TM}$ skins were measured by the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2.5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide based method. FeNPs, AlNPs, TNPs, and AgNPs were non-corrosive because the viability was more than 50% after 3 min exposure and more than 15% after 60 min exposure, which are the non-corrosive criteria. All NPs were also non-irritants, based on viability exceeding 50% after 60 min exposure and 42 hr post-incubation. Release of interleukin 1-alpha and histopathological analysis supported the cell viability results. These findings suggest that FeNPs, AlNPs, TNPs, and AgNPs are 'non-corrosive' and 'non-irritant' to human skin by a globally harmonized classification system.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.33-39
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• 2005

Purpose: Nowadays the Korean society is in the center of time of the social change. Because of dissociation of traditional family, IMF (International Monetary Fund) crisis and economic recession, the mortality rate of suicidal attempts are increasing annually. The majority of suicidal attempts were by poisoning considering the characteristics of korean society. Therefore we studied to find out the characteristics of suicidal poisoning before and after social economic stress, and to suggest the direction for the proper management. Methods: We reviewed medical records of 547 patients of suicide by poisoning who visited the emergency medical centers of St. Mary's hospitals from 1997 to 2004. For the annual trends analysis, we analyzed the demographic and toxicologic data of these patients compared with before and after IMF crisis (1998) and the economic recession ($2003\~2004$). Results: At the time of IMF and the economic recession, the number of suicidal poisoning increased, especially in fifth decade. The refusal rate of toxicological emergency treatment increased. Also the mortality rate and the admission rate to ICU (Intensive Care Unit) increased during the same period. In the result of the comparison analysis, clinical severity and mortality of social problem group were higher. However they couldn't be treated appropriately because of financial problem and the family indifference. Conclusion: At the economic recession period, the severity of suicidal poisoned patients was high. But the refusal rate of toxicologic treatment also increased, so the patients had lost the chance for proper toxicologic treatment. Therefore they would be supported by medical institution and public health.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.54-67
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• 2006

This study was performed to deduct the extension possibility of the standards establishment for $NO_2$, $O_3$, Asbestos, Radon, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) excluded in the indoor air part of Industrial Safety Acts in Korea. The air pollutants were sampled for 30 office buildings from August to September, 2005 in the metropolitan area. The airborne concentrations of $NO_2$, $O_3$, Radon and TVOC were 0.0092 ppm, 0.0035 ppm, 0.57 pCi/L and $423{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. The management plan and reduction methods is required in the aspect of indoor air quality(IAQ) because the emission sources of those also exist in indoor as well as outdoor even though those were not exceeded the standards of the Ministry of Environment in Korea. The standard for TVOC in the new and remodeling office has to be established based on the risk assessment when hazard index exceeded "1" in the worst case scenario. In the state of art, the management of each volatile organic compounds has a difficulty due to not enough data for toxicological reference. Therefore, it is suggested that first of all, the standard for TVOC be established and then expanded to each materials for decision-making of improvement of IAQ in office.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.46-58
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• 2013

Objectives : The object of this study was to obtain acute information (single oral dose toxicity) of Scutellariae Radix Aqueous Extracts (SR; yield = 27.20%) which traditionally have been used in Korean medicine for treating various diseases including inflammatory diseases. Methods : In order to observe the 50% lethal dose ($LD_{50}$), approximate lethal dosage (ALD) and target organs, SR Aqueous Extracts were once orally administered to female and male ICR mice at dose levels of 2,000, 1,000, 500 and 0 (control) mg/kg (body weight.) according to the recommendation of KFDA Guidelines. The mortality and changes on body weight, clinical signs and gross observation were monitored during 14 days after single oral treatment of SR according to KFDA Guidelines with organ weights and histopathological observations of 14 types of principle organs. Results : After single oral treatment of SR, we could not find any mortality and toxicological evidences up to 2,000 mg/kg treated group, the limited dosages in rodents, on the body and organ weights, clinical signs, gross and histopathological observations, except for some accidental findings. Conclusions : The results obtained in this study suggest that the $LD_{50}$ and ALD of SR in both female and male mice after single oral treatment be considered as over 2,000 mg/kg because no mortalities were detected up to 2,000 mg/kg that was the highest dose recommended by KFDA and OECD, and can be safely used in clinics.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제11권6호
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• pp.452-460
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• 2017

BACKGROUD/OBJECTIVES: Turanose, ${\alpha}$-D-glucosyl-($1{\rightarrow}3$)-${\alpha}$-D-fructose, is a sucrose isomer which naturally exists in honey. To evaluate toxicity of turanose, acute and subchronic oral toxicity studies were conducted with ICR mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the acute oral toxicity study, turanose was administered as a single oral dose [10 g/kg body weight (b.w.)]. In the subchronic toxicity study, ICR mice were administered 0, 1.75, 3.5, and 7 g/kg b.w. doses of turanose daily for 13 weeks. RESULTS: No signs of acute toxicity, including abnormal behavior, adverse effect, or mortality, were observed over the 14-day study period. In addition, no changes in body weight or food consumption were observed and the median lethal dose (LD50) for oral intake of turanose was determined to be greater than 10 g/kg b.w. General clinical behavior, changes in body weight and food consumption, absolute and relative organ weights, and mortality were not affected in any of the treatment group for 13 weeks. These doses also did not affect the macroscopic pathology, histology, hematology, and blood biochemical analysis of the mice examined. CONCLUSION: No toxicity was observed in the acute and 13-week subchronic oral toxicology studies that were conducted with ICR mice. Furthermore, the no-observed-adverse-effect level is greater than 7 g/kg/day for both male and female ICR mice.

• 한국콘텐츠학회논문지
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.353-360
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• 2009

식품이나 음료 첨가제로 사용하는 착색제는 소비자가 가공된 식품을 믿고 인정할 수 있는 중요한 요인의 하나로 꼽을 수 있다. 예전에 식품에 안전하다고 다량 사용되었던 인공 착색제나 염료들의 종류는 근래 독성학적 연구 결과 유해하다고 판정되어 그 수가 급격히 줄고 있다. 따라서 안토시아닌이나 베타시아닌과 같이 안전한 천연 색소는 항암성과 항산화성을 갖고 있기에 그 수요가 꾸준히 늘고 있다. 본 연구에서는 수용성 식물 색소인 안토시아닌과 베타시아닌을 에틸 아세테이트, 에틸 에테르 및 클로로포름과 같은 몇 가지 유기용매로 간단히 추출할 수 있었다. 또한, 추출한 이 두 가지 주된 식물 색소는 citrate buffer (pH 3.0)를 이용한 아가로즈 겔 전기영동법 하나만으로 간편하고 빠른 시간 내에 전개하여 서로를 구분할 수 있었다.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.119-138
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review size, shape, and crystal structure-dependent toxicity of major metal oxide particles such as silicon dioxide, tungsten trioxide, aluminum oxide, and titanium dioxide as byproducts generated in semiconductor fabrication facility. Methods: To review the toxicity of major metal oxide particles, we used various reported research and review papers. The papers were searched by using websites such as Google Scholar and PubMed. Keyword search terms included '$SiO_2$(or $WO_3$ or $Al_2O_3$ or $TiO_2$) toxicity', 'health effects $SiO_2$(or $WO_3$ or $Al_2O_3$ or $TiO_2$). Additional papers were identified in references cited in the searched papers. Results: In various cell lines and organs of human and animals, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, hepatoxicity, fetotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and histopathological changes were induced by silicon dioxide, tungsten trioxide, aluminium oxide, and titanium dioxide particles. Differences in toxicity were dependent on the cell lines, organs, doses, as well as the chemical composition, size, surface area, shape, and crystal structure of the particles. However, the doses used in the reported papers were higher than the possible exposure level in general work environment. Oxidative stress induced by the metal oxide particles plays a significant role in the expression of toxicity. Conclusions: The results cannot guarantee human toxicity of the metal oxide particles, because there is still a lack of available information about health effects on humans. In addition, toxicological studies under the exposure conditions in the actual work environment are needed.