• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.138-146
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• 2007

Food irradiation has been steadily increased in many countries concomitantly with increasing international trades. Harmful contaminants naturally occurred from foods which contain high levels of unsaturated fatty acids that are easily oxidized can affect the human anti-oxidation system through the generation of free radicals. Moreover, previous studies proved that ${\gamma}$-irradiation may cause production of free radicals in food. We investigated the effect of ${\gamma}$-irradiated soybeans in relation to oxidative stress in mice. Oxidative index of mice was evaluated by TBARS, DNA fragmentation in various organs such as blood lymphocytes, liver and kidney. Forty male ICR mice were equally divided into 4 groups and fed control diet or ${\gamma}$-irradiated diet containing 50% soybeans (5, 10, and 20 kGy, respectively) for 8 weeks. Peroxide values of the irradiated diets were higher than that of the non-irradiated one and increased according to the storage period. There was no significant difference in weight gain as well as in TBARS value in plasma and kidney of all groups. Liver TBARS value of the group fed with irradiated diet at 20 kGy increased significantly compared with the control group (p < 0.05). DNA oxidative damage as measured by alkaline comet assay showed that % tail DNA in the blood lymphocytes of 5 kGy and 10 kGy groups increased significantly over the control group (p < 0.05). Also, tail moments of 5 kGy and 10 kGy groups were higher than that of the control group. Ultrastructural examination shows myeline figures and swollen mitochondria in parietal and intestinal epithelial cells of the group fed with irradiated diet. Therefore, considering unsaturated fatty acid content, consumption of soybeans ${\gamma}$-irradiated with over 20 kGy or repeatedly may decrease the body's antioxidant mechanism.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.365-370
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• 1998

To evaluate the renal toxicity of the antitumor agent, p-{N,N,-Bis(2-chloroethyl)amino}-4-phenyl acetyl-amino-2,6-piperidinedione(CK-15), rats were treated with CK-15 (acute: 50mg/kg. i.p., single and subacute: 5mg/kg, i.p., daily for 7 days). The changes in the body weight, water consumption, kidney weights and urine volume after and during the treatment were observed. The concentrations of urinary creatinine and portein, the activities of N-acetyl-${\beta}$-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), alanine aminopeptidase (AAP), ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transpeptidase (${\gamma}$-GT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in 24hr urine were also determined. The body weight, water consumption, and urine volume were decreased after the acute and subacute administration. However the weights of kidney were not changed after the treatments. The excretion of creatinine was significantly decreased 1 day after acute administration but, returned to the control value. In subactute administration, the excretion of creatinine was gradually decreased. However, the protein excretion did not changed in both treatment. Those indicate that CK-15 might decrease the metabolic rate of muscle. THe urinary activities of NAG, AAP, ${\gamma}$-GT, and LDH were significantly affected bythe drug treatment. The urinary activities of NAG, AAP and ${\gamma}$-GT were significantly increased 1 day after the acute administration and then returned to the control value. However, the urinary activities of LDH were not changed in acute treatment. In subacute treatment, although the urinary activities of NAG were not changed, those of AAP and ${\gamma}$-GT were significantly increased 2.3 times at 3 days during the subacute administration. Also the urinary activities of LDH were significantly increased at 7 day after the administration. These results indicate that the high and subacute administration might induce a damage in the kidney cells. Furthermore the present results suggest that the toxic effects of CK-15 might be due to the accumulation of the metabolites.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.1035-1041
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• 2000

Gamma irradiation was used to improve sanitation and quality of salted and fermented anchovy sauce. For commercial production, comparison with currently using sterilization methods, such as micro-filtration and heat treatment were also conducted. Control was prepared without irradiation and sterilization process. Microbiological, physiochemical, and sensory qualities were analyzed to observe the Quality changes during the storage. Irradiation at 5 kGy or above and micro-filtration process completely eliminated microorganisms detected in this study As irradiation dose increased, the color appeared brighter and irradiation at 5 kGy or above showed similar color L-value to that of sample treated with microfiltration. The color L, a, b-value of heat-treated sample always showed lower. The pH, salinity, and viscosity were sustained during storage. From the results of sensory evaluation, the samples treated with gamma irradiation and microfiltration obtained better scores than control or heat-sterilized. Gamma irradiation to salted and fermented anchovy sauce presented the best quality products among different sterilizing methods, especially at 5 kGy dose. Therefore, gamma irradiation can be successfully applied to commercial large scale production as a new sanitation technology with improved quality.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.9
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• pp.3872-3883
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• 2024

This study investigates the effects of Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), and Iron (Fe) additions on the microstructure, corrosion behaviour, biocompatibility, mechanical, and gamma-ray shielding properties of Magnesium (Mg) alloys prepared in various compositions using powder metallurgy (PM). The microstructure and mechanical properties of these alloys were analyzed using electron microscopes (SEM and FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. The results showed positive changes in the material's structure when the percentage of zinc added to pure magnesium increased. It was observed that the material became ductile, and the ductile fracture increased when the zinc ratio increased. The gamma-ray shielding properties of newly produced Mg-based alloys have also been discussed since they have a high potential for use in space technologies. Radiation shielding measurements have been performed using a 3" × 3" NaI(Tl) scintillation detector NaI (Tl) gamma-ray spectrometer. The gamma-ray shielding parameters such as the linear attenuation coefficients (μ_l), mass attenuation coefficient (μ_m), effective atomic number (Z_eff), half-value layer (HVL), and tenth-value layer (TVL) have been determined experimentally at photon energies of 0.511 MeV (emitted from a²²Na radioactive point source) and 1.173 MeV and 1.332 MeV (emitting from a⁶⁰Co radioactive point source). The obtained parameters have been compared to the theoretical results of the XCOM software, and a satisfactory agreement has been found. It can be said from the results that the Mg30Zn alloy has the best shielding properties among the produced materials.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2013

The tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) release assay (IGRA) have been widely used for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). In order to overcome limitations of current LTBI diagnostic methods, the development of a novel molecular assay which is able to measure the IFN-${\gamma}$ messenger RNA (mRNA) expression level after stimulation with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) specific antigen was recently developed. The ability of a molecular assay to detect MTB infection was similar to commercial IGRA however, the optimal incubation time for stimulating IFN-${\gamma}$ was not yet established. Therefore, in this study the direct comparisons of MTB Ag stimulation times (4 and 24 hrs) were performed for diagnosis of MTB infection. Data showed that the coincident rate between QFT-GIT IFN-${\gamma}$ ELISA and IFN-${\gamma}$ RT-PCR (4 hrs) was 88.35% and that of QFT-GIT and IFN-${\gamma}$ RT-PCR (24 hrs) was 70.85%. Based on a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the 4 hrs-MTB specific Ag stimulation time for IFN-${\gamma}$ RT-PCR had the significant P value, 95% CI value, and AUC (P < 0.0001, 95% CI=0.82 to 1.02, and AUC=0.9214) in comparison with 24 hrs-MTB specific Ag stimulation time (P = 0.009, 95% CI=0.06 to 0.94, and AUC=0.7711). These results show that 4-hr was the most optimal MTB Ag stimulation time for performing IFN-${\gamma}$ RT-PCR. Although semi-quantitative RT-PCR had a few analytical limitations, it might be useful as an alternative molecular diagnostic method for detecting MTB infection.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1998.11a
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• pp.170-170
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• 1998

In order to discover new types of 5-hydroxytryptamine antagonists, we have devoted our attention to investigating naturally occurring compounds having anti-5HT activity in vitro. Recently, ${\gamma}$-mangostin [1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-2,8-bis(3-methyl-2-bytenyl)-9H-xanthen-9-one] from the fruit hull of Garcinia mangostana Linn has been shown to be a selective antagonist for 5-hydroxytryptamine$_{2A}$ receptors in smooth muscle and platelets. It is of interesting that y-mangostin which does not have a nitrogen atom, possesses marked 5-$HT_{2A}$ receptor blocking activity. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of ${\gamma}$-mangostin on central 5-HT receptors by using animal behavioural models. Intracerebronventricular injection of ${\gamma}$-mangostin (10-40n mol/mouse) inhibited 5-fluoro-${\alpha}$-methyltryptamin (5-FMT) (45 mg kg$^{-1}$, i.p.)-induced head-twitch response in mice in the presence or absence of citalopram (5-HT-uptake inhibitor). Neither the 5-FMT- nor the 8-hydroxy-2-( di-n-propylamino )tetralin (5-HT$_{1A}$-agonist)-induced 5-HT syndrome (head weaving and hindlimb abduction) was affected by ${\gamma}$-mangostin. The locomotor activity stimulated by 5-FMT through the activation of at-adrenoceptors did not alter in the presence of ${\gamma}$-mangostin. 5-HT-induced inositol phosphates accumulation in mouse brain slices was abolished by ketanserin. ${\gamma}$-Mangostin caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of the inositol phosphates accumulation and the binding of [$^3H$]-spiperone, a specific 5-$HT_{2A}$ receptor antagonist, to mouse brain membranes. Kinetic analysis of the [$^H3$]-spiperone binding revealed that ${\gamma}$-mangostin increased the $_{d}$ value without affecting the $B_{max}$ value, indicating the mode of the competitive nature of the inhibition by ${\gamma}$-mangostin. These results suggest that ${\gamma}$-mangostin inhibits 5-FMT-induced head-twitch response in mice by blocking 5-$HT_{2A}$ receptors not by blocking the release of 5-HT from the central neurone. ${\gamma}$-Mangostin is a promising 5-$HT_{2A}$ receptors antagonist in the central nervous system.m.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.497-509
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• 2006

Until recently, the tuberculin skin test (TST) has been the only tool available for diagnosing a latent TB infection. However, the development of new diagnostic tools, using the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-specific early secreted antigenic target 6 (ESAT-6) and culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP-10) antigens, should improve the control of tuberculosis (TB) by allowing a more accurate identification of a latent TB infection (LTBI). Antigen-specific interferon-gamma ($IFN-{\gamma}$) assays have greater specificity in BCG-vaccinated individuals, and as less biased by nontuberculous mycobacterial infections. Many comparative studies have suggested that those assays have a higher specificity than the TST, and the sensitivity of these assays are expected to remarkably improved if more MTB-specific antigens can become available. Nevertheless, the major obstacle to the widespread use of these tests is the limited financial resources. Similar to other diagnostic tests, the predictive value of $IFN-{\gamma}$ assays depends on the prevalence of a MTB infection in the population being tested. Therefore, prospective studies will be meeded to establish the applicability of these new assays at multiple geographic locations among patients of different ethnicities, and to determine if the $IFN-{\gamma}$ responses can indicate those with a high risk of progressing to active TB.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.100-104
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• 2009

In this study, the space gamma dose rates in the apartments structured with concrete were measured in accordance with construction year. In addition, the environmental radiation rates coming from the subway platforms and the road tunnels were analyzed in the equivalent dose by multiplying the absorbed dose with the radiation weighting factors. The space gamma dose rates measured in apartments were higher than those of outdoor which was $0.08{\sim}0.11uSv/h$ in the natural conditions. Especially, the older construction year is, the higher becomes space gamma dose rate. The average gamma dose rates in the subway platforms were measured. In the case of Busan and Daegu subway, the earlier the opening year is, the higher becomes dose rate. However, the dose rates of Seoul subway Lines were high overall, regardless of opening year. Seoul subway Line 6 showed the highest value of 0.21uSv/h. The gamma dose rate in road tunnels was higher than one of the outdoor and increased with opening year like as apartment. In dose rate comparison of the concrete structures with the outdoor, therefore, the space gamma dose rate of indoor is higher than one of the outdoor and the older structures have a higher dose rate.

• Bulletin of Food Technology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.98-106
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• 2004

Two mutant enzymes of $\gamma$-glutamylcysteine synthetase ($\gamma$-GCS) which catalyzed the synthesis of $\gamma$-glutamylcysteine from L-glutamic acid and L-cysteine in the presence of ATP, were prepared bypoint mutation of $\gamma$-GCS gene with site-directed mutagensis in E. coli. Conformational structuresand catalytic reaction kinetics of mutant enzymes were compared with wild type $\gamma$-GCS afterpurification. The S495F mutant enzyme (serine at 495 residue was substituted with phenylalanine),which had no catalytic activity for $\gamma$-glutamylcysteine synthesis, rarely folded even in neutral pH.However, the mutant A494V (alanine of 494 residue was replaced by valnine) which showed 50 %increase of activity, had a high folding structure. The folding structure of A494V also more stable athigh temperature and extreme pH compared to wild type and S495F. Reaction kinetics of wild typeand A494V were also investigated, Km value of A494V was smaller than that of wild type, while itshowed a little difference at Vmax values. This result evolved that alanine at 494 may be involved inbinding site of substrate rather than catalytic site. In addition, change of catalytic activity by onepoint mutation was highly correlated with the folding structure of enzyme.

• 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.