• Toxicological Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.241-253
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• 2015

Furan ($C_4H_4O$) is a volatile compound formed mostly during the thermal processing of foods. The toxicity of furan has been well documented previously, and it was classified as "possible human carcinogen (Group 2B)" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Various pathways have been reported for the formation of furan, that is, thermal degradation and/or thermal rearrangement of carbohydrates in the presence of amino acids, thermal degradation of certain amino acids, including aspartic acid, threonine, ${\alpha}$-alanine, serine, and cysteine, oxidation of ascorbic acid at higher temperatures, and oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and carotenoids. Owing to the complexity of the formation mechanism, a vast number of studies have been published on monitoring furan in commercial food products and on the potential strategies for reducing furan. Thus, we present a comprehensive review on the current status of commercial food monitoring databases and the possible furan reduction methods. Additionally, we review analytical methods for furan detection and the toxicity of furan.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.161-166
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• 2011

Carbon black, a particulate form of pure elemental carbon, is an industrial chemical with the high potential of occupational exposure. Although the relationship between exposure to particulate matters (PM) and cardiovascular diseases is well established, the cardiovascular risk of carbon black has not been characterized clearly. In this study, the cytotoxicity of carbon black to vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells were examined to investigate the potential vascular toxicity of carbon black. Carbon black with distinct particle size, N330 (primary size, 28~36 nm) and N990 (250~350 nm) were treated to A-10, rat aortic smooth muscle cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cell line, ECV304, and cell viability was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage assay. Treatment of carbon black N990 resulted in the significant reduction of viability in A-10 cells at 100 ${\mu}g$/ml, the highest concentration tested, while N330 failed to cause cell death. Cytotoxicity to ECV304 cells was induced only by N330 at higher concentration, 200 ${\mu}g$/ml, suggesting that ECV304 cells were relatively resistant to carbon black. Treatment of 100 ${\mu}g$/ml N990 led to the elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) detected by dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCF) in A-10 cells. Pretreatment of antioxidants, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and sulforaphane restored decreased viability of N990-treated A-10 cells, and N-acetylcysteine, but not sulforaphane, attenuated N990-induced ROS generation in A-10 cells. Taken together, present study shows that carbon black is cytotoxic to vascular cells, and the generation of reactive oxygen contributes to the development of cytotoxicity. ROS scavenging antioxidant could be a potential strategy to attenuate the toxicity induced by carbon black exposure.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.156-162
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topically applied recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) for the prevention of radiation-induced dermatitis in cancer patients. Materials and Methods: From December 2010 to April 2012, a total of 1,172 cancer patients who received radiotherapy (RT) of more than 50 Gy were prospectively enrolled and treated with EGF-based cream. An acute skin reaction classified according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 6-point rating scale was the primary end point and we also assessed the occurrence of edema, dry skin, or pruritus. Results: The percentage of radiation dermatitis with maximum grade 0 and grade 1 was 19% and 58% at the time of 50 Gy, and it became 29% and 47% after completion of planned RT. This increment was observed only in breast cancer patients (from 18%/62% to 32%/49%). Adverse events related to the EGF-based cream developed in 49 patients (4%) with mild erythema the most common. Skin toxicity grade >2 was observed in 5% of the patients. Edema, dry skin, and pruritus grade ${\geq}3$ developed in 9%, 9%, and 1% of the patients, respectively. Conclusion: Prophylactic use of an EGF-based cream is effective in preventing radiation dermatitis with tolerable toxicity. Further studies comparing EGF cream with other topical agents may be necessary.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.425-448
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• 2004

A bioactive and degradable poly(epsilon -caprolactone)/silica nanohybrid(PSH) was synthesized for the application as a bone substitute. PSH was manufactured by using silica and polycaprolacton. PSH was manufactured in some composition after low crystaline apatite had been formed in simulated body fluid and, was used this study. The safety of the PSH was established by test of acute, and subacute toxicity, sensitization cytotoxicity and sterility. In order to assess activity of osteoblast, the test for attaching osteoblast, proliferation test for osteoblast, differentiating gene expression test are performed in vitro. And bone substitutes were grafted in rabbit's calvarium, during 8 weeks for testing efficacy of bone substitutes. Degree of osteogenesis and absorption of substitutes were evaluated in microscopic level. In result, it was not appeared that acute and subacute toxicity, sensitization in intradermal induction phase, topical induction phase and challenge phase. It was shown that the test can not inhibit cell proliferation. adversely, it had some ability to accelerate cell proliferation. The result of sterility test described bacterial growth was not detected in most test tube. The attaching and proliferation test of osteoblast had good results. In the result of differentiating gene expression test for osteoblast, cbfa1 and, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin and GAPDH were detected with mRNA analysis. In the PSH bone formation test, ostgeoblastic activity would be different as material constitution but it had good new bone formation ability except group #218. futhermore, some material had been absorbed within 8 weeks. Above studies, PSH had bio-compatibility with human body, new bone formation ability and accelerate osteoblastic activity. So it would be the efficient bone substitute material with bio-active and biodegradable.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.114-123
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• 2014

Objectives: Evidence-based medicine(EBM) advocates the use of up-to-date "best" scientific evidence from health care research as the basis for making medical decisions. EBM also has been applied to traditional Korean medicine(TKM), especially in the field of safety. Recently, the standard prescription for TKM by Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine was published based on toxic index from various toxicity tests. However, there are some limitations when the results from the study based on EBM are applied in clinics. To overcome these imitations, the term "evidence-based practical medicine" was developed and defined as clinically applicable results from the study based on EBM. And safety classification for TKM was suggested as an example of evidence-based practical medicine. Methods: For safety classification for TKM, the data for $LD_{50}$(50% lethal dose), which was transformed to theoretical $LD_1$(1% lethal dose), was analyzed as one of tools for EMB study and divided by maximum dose used in clinics. Results and Conclusions: As a result, human equivalent dose(HED)-based MOS(margin of safety) for korean traditional medicine was calculated and used for safety classification with 5 categories. These categories would be helpful for oriental medicine clinicians to decide the increase and decrease of dosage according to various factors such as patient's sensitivity, potential toxicity of herbal medicines, clinician's experience for better cure. Thus, this safety classification provides some evidences enough that evidence-based practical medicine should be not the same with EBM and defined differently from EBM.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.187-187
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• 2017

Cadmium (Cd) pollution is rapidly increasing in worldwide due to industrialization and urbanization. In addition to its negative effects on the environment, Cd pollution adversely affects human health. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important agricultural crop worldwide, including South Korea, and studies have examined its ability to alleviate Cd uptake from the soil into plants. However, information about the relationship between sulfur (S) and antioxidants in rice seedlings is still limited with regard to Cd phytotoxicity. We therefore investigated the changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants in rice (Oryza sativa L. 'Dongjin') seedlings exposed to toxic Cd, S treatment, or both. The exposure of rice seedlings to $30{\mu}M$ Cd inhibited plant growth; increased the contents of superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde (MDA); and induced Cd uptake by the roots, stems, and leaves. Application of S to Cd-stressed seedlings decreased Cd-induced oxidative stress by increasing the capacity of the glutathione (GSH)-ascorbate (AsA) cycle, promoted S assimilation by increasing cysteine, GSH, and AsA contents in treated plants, and decreased Cd transfer from the roots to the stems and leaves. In conclusion, S application of plants under Cd stress promoted Cys and GSH biosynthesis and GSH-AsA cycle activity, thereby lowering the rate of Cd transfer to plant shoots and promoting the scavenging of the ROS that resulted from Cd toxicity, thus alleviating the overall Cd toxicity. Therefore, these results provide insights into the role of S in regulating the tolerance, uptake, and translocation of Cd in rice seedlings. The results of this study indicate that S application should have potential as a tool for mitigating Cd-stress in cereal crops, especially rice.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.39-53
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• 1994

This study aims to investigate organic compounds and its toxicity by Ames test and chromosomal aberration in the water of the Nak Dong River. Six sampling sites such as Goryung, Hagueun, Maelie, Duksan, Haedong and Myungiang were selected for these pur15oses. 200 l water samples were absorbed on XAD-2 resin columns (2.5X30cm), eluted with organic solvents mixture of acetone: cyclohexane and then dried under vacuum condition. The extracts from the XAD-2 resin was injected into GC/MS and 184 organic compounds were identified such as aldehydes, aromatic compounds, ketones, phenols, hydrocarbons, alcohols, carboxylic acids, alkanes and some unknowns. The US EPA priority pollutants such as naphthlene, bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and other pollutants, 1,2-diethyl benzene, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene and cyclohexanol were detected in these samples. The concentration of chemical pollutants such as 1,2-diethyl benzene, nephthalene, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and cyclohexanol were ranged into 1.228 $\mu$g/l, 298 $\mu$g/l, 30.191 $\mu$g/l, 1.147 $\mu$g/l and 2.839 $\mu$g/l, respectively. The mutagenic activity of XAD-2 extracts were tested on Salmonella typhimurium TA 98, TA 100, TA 1535 and TA 1537 and then exhibited strong mutagenic activity against S. typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100 in the presence of S$_9$. Amon them, bis(2-ethylhexyl)phtalate and 1,2-diethyl benzene showed the most strongest mutagenic activity against S. typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100 in the presence of S$_9$. On the other hands, chromosomal aberration of XAD-2 extracts in the human blood cells were not occurred by the sampling water at Goryung, Hagueun, Maelie and Duksan, Chromosomal aberration were also not occurred by the each concentration of 0.05, 0.1 amd 0.3 mg/l of each 1,2-diethyl benzol, bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, naphthalene, phenol, cyclohexanol and benzothiazol test solution.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2016

Objectives: Alumina nanoparticles ($Al_2O_3$, Al-NPs) are used for various purposes, including as coating agents and paint additives. Their potential toxicity has raised concern for human health. This study focuses on exploring the toxic effects on the brain and kidneys caused by Al-NPs exposure in rats. Methods: The animals were orally administered Al-NPs at 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight for 28 days following OECD TG 407. To determine the targeted toxicity of Al-NPs, histopathological examination and gene expression analysis were conducted on the rats. Results: The Al-NPs treatment induced kidney tubular dilatation. In the rat cerebrums, the expression levels of 126 genes experienced two-fold or greater increases in response to Al-NPs, including other genes encoding proteins involved in cell differentiation, transcription and signal transduction. In the rat kidneys, the expression levels of 152 genes also showed two-fold or greater increases in response to Al-NPs, including other genes encoding proteins involved in apoptosis, transcription and signal transduction. Conclusion: These results suggest that exposure to Al-NPs influences cellular signal pathways of kidney and cerebrum, and it can be a toxic indicators of nanometrials.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.71-76
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• 2015

Magnesium sulfate is widely used as a food additive and as an orally administered medication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible cytotoxicity of magnesium sulfate on AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells and gastric mucosa in mice. A trypan blue exclusion assay was used to determine the reduction in viability of AGS cells exposed to magnesium sulfate, and then effects on cell proliferation were quantified. The role of magnesium sulfate-mediated pro-inflammatory cytokine production in AGS cells was also investigated. mRNA expression for IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-${\alpha}$ was determined by RT-PCR, and secretion of these cytokines was measured by ELISA. Immunohistochemical evaluation of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$ expression was conducted in mouse gastric mucosa. Addition of 3 to 50 mM magnesium sulfate to AGS cells inhibited both cell proliferation and cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Magnesium sulfate had little effect on production of IL-$1{\beta}$ or IL-6 but significantly inhibited production of IL-8. The animal model demonstrated that magnesium sulfate induced production of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$. These preliminary data suggest that magnesium sulfate had a direct effect on the stomach and initiates cytotoxicity in moderate concentrations and time periods by inhibiting viability a nd proliferation of AGS cells and by regulating expression and/or release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.585-590
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• 2000

A hemolysin producing strain was isolated from Kum rivet estuary located in west part of Korea. In the process of identification the isolated strain was similar to V. mimicus but did not show characteristics of known Vibrio species; therefore, the strain was designated as Vibrio sp. D9 ( V. kumkang) tentatively and further identification study was carried out by comparing its bacteriological characteristics, Morphologically Vibrio sp. D9 was a typical straight roe with a polar flagellium. Among known Vibrio species no identical strains were found when using automatic bacteria identification system ($MicioLog^(TM)$system, release 4.0, Biolog Inc., USA) which evaluated the ability of metabolizing 95 kinds of carbon and nitrogen sources. Vibrio sp. D9 showed 18 and 13 different responses as compared to V. mimicus and V. cholerae, respectively. Clear hemolysis zones were observed with the strain against human and sheep blood agar plate, Hemolytic toxicity was confirmed by strong vascular permeability and fatal toxicity against mouse was also observed. Thus the strain was a pathogenic vibrio. Growth conditions for Vibrio sp. D9 were salinity of $0{\~}5.0{\%}$, pH of $6.4{\~}9.8$, temperature of $15{\~}41^{\circ}C$, respectively.