• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.312-316
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• 2015

Background: Unleaded petrol contains significant amounts of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX). Toxic responses following occupational exposure to unleaded petrol have been evaluated only in limited studies. The main purpose of this study was to ascertain whether (or not) exposure to unleaded petrol, under normal working conditions, is associated with any hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic response. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 200 employees of Shiraz petrol stations with current exposure to unleaded petrol, as well as 200 unexposed employees, were investigated. Atmospheric concentrations of BTX were measured using standard methods. Additionally, urine and fasting blood samples were taken from individuals for urinalysis and routine biochemical tests of kidney and liver function. Results: The geometric means of airborne concentrations of BTX were found to be $0.8mg\;m^{-3}$, $1.4mg\;m^{-3}$, and $2.8mg\;m^{-3}$, respectively. Additionally, means of direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea and plasma creatinine were significantly higher in exposed individuals than in unexposed employees. Conversely, serum albumin, total protein, and serum concentrations of calcium and sodium were significantly lower in petrol station workers than in their unexposed counterparts. Conclusion: The average exposure of petrol station workers to BTX did not exceed the current threshold limit values (TLVs) for these chemicals. However, evidence of subtle, subclinical and prepathologic early liver and kidney dysfunction was evident in exposed individuals.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.149-154
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• 2000

Flavin mononucleotide (1,4-butanediamine) Pt(II) complex (7FMN) was synthesized and screened anticancer activity [J. Pharm. Soc. Korea 43(6),762-770 (1999)]. 7FMN have good water solubility and moderate anticancer activiy In this paper cell-cycle specificity and nephrotoxicity were studied. Interaction of DNA with cisplatin and synthesized 7FMN was analyzed by flow cytometry and showed G2 arrest in L1210 cell line. It means that cell-cycle on L1210 was inhibit in S phase by cisplatin and 7FMN. In order to biochemically analyze nephrotoxicity of cisplatin and 7FMN, after injecting each agent intraperitoneally, blood was exsanguinated after 6 hours, 1 day, 3 days and 7 days, respectively. Then, serum was separated from the blood. The serum level of BUN, creatinine and uric acid in cisplatin and 7FMN administated mice (25~35 g, ICR strain, a dose each 8,12 and 16 times of the $IC_{50}$/ value, cisplatin; 7 times) were determined by autochemistry analyzer. In cisplatinadministered mice group, BUN level was elevated than normal control group at 3rd day and repaired at 7th day. In 7FMN administrated group was not elevated. Creatinine and uric acid level were no difference with the normal control group. Therefore synthesized 7FMN is less toxic than cisplatin in nephrotoxiciaty.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.481-488
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• 1995

In oriental folk medicine, Artemisia messes-schmidiana var viridis(Compositae) has been used for jaundice, hepatitis, diuretic and liver cirrhosis etc. 1-naphthylisothiocyanate(ANIT) has been used for more than 20 years as a model compound to study mechanisms of intrahepatic cholestasis in laboratory animals as rat and mouse. Various biochemical and morphological changes including biliary epithelial and parenchymal cell necrosis occur in the liver of animals treated with ANIT. The purposes of present study are to examine pharmacological effects of Artemisia messes-schmidiana var viridis water extract(AMWE) on alterations of secretion volume and total bile acids level in bile juice, and that of serum AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin, and glucose levels in rat. AMWE stimulated bile secretion and recovered ANIT-induced cholestasis. Bile acid concentrations increased to more than 60% compared with normal by ANIT, which were returned toward normal value with AMWE treatment. Serum AST and ALT activities were increased by ANIT and yet which were significantly decreased with AMWE treatment. In addition, this effect was apparent in AMWE pretreatment group. Serum glucose levels were increased with AMWE and ANIT, while were decreased compared with control in AMWE posttreatment group. Increased serum total bilirubin contents and ALP activities by ANIT were significantly decreased with AMWE posttreatment. In conclusion, AMWE exerted bile acid-independent choleresis effect and then improved to normal conditions ANIT-induced cholestatic syndromes. Also, AMWE have protective and regenerative effect of hepatocytes in rat.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.103-109
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• 2005

Isolation and primary culture technique of rabbit oral keratinocytes, and the study for effect of environmental factors on the cell growth were carried out in T75-flask. $1.92{\pm}0.59{\times}10^6$ viable cells were isolated by trypsin enzymatic digestion method from $0.25cm^2$ biopsy of rabbit oral mucosa. Primary culture with 10 mL of K-SFM containing 50 mg/L BPE, $5.0{\mu}g/L$ EGF and 0.15 mM $Ca^{2+}$ showed confluence after 8 days and doubling time was 2.54 days. Effect of medium types, medium volume and supplement types on the cell growth was investigated after the cultured keratinocytes had been harvested from primary confluence. Serum addition showed adverse effect and the increase of serum concentration didn't have an effect on the cell growth. The increase of medium volume decreased the cell growth. The increase of calcium concentration increased the cell growth and 2.0 mM was optimum value. In conclusion, when rabbit oral keratinocytes was cultured in T75-flask, the most effective conditions was to use 10 mL of K-SFM containing 50 mg/L BPE, $5.0{\mu}g/L$ EGF and 2.0 mM $Ca^{2+}$, and doubling time was 1.32 days. This study can provide the useful informations to develop a process and design a bioreactor for the culture of keratinocytes in human body like skin and cornea, as well as mucosa.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.82-91
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• 1980

The aim of this study was to define the range of the menstrual blood loss(MBL), and the upper limit of the MBL associated with iron deficiency anemia in Korean women, For this purpose, healthy unmarried women between the age of 15 to 26 years were selected from July to September, 1979 and results obtained were used for determining baseline MBL and its relationship to iron nutriture. One houndred forteen women were tested for their MBL and hematological and biochemical data such as hemoglobin(Hb) concentration, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration(MCHC), and serum iron and ferritin concentration. This study was partly supported by World Health Organization. The results of this study are summarized as follows: 1) The mean values and standard error of mean of MBL were $30.7{\pm}2.19ml$ for total subjects, $30.4{\pm}3.14ml$ for sutjects below 20 years of age and $30.3{\pm}2.49ml$ for subjects aged more than 20 years. No significant variation was noted for amount of MBL between two age groups. 2) The median value and 95th percentile value of MBL were 26.5ml and 69.0ml respectively for total subjects. Maximum number (24.6%) of the subjects fell in group with 10-20ml of MBL while 10.5% showed MBL above 50m1. 3) Mean value of the duration of menstruation for total subjects was 4.34 days. 4) It was observed that mean values of Hb concentration, hematocrit and MCHC were decreased slightly in subjects showing MBL more than 40m1. Serum iron and ferritin levels were markedly decreased in women with MBL above 40m1 and 20-30ml, respectively. 5) In subject population showing MBL above 50ml, the frequency of subjects with hematological and biochemical data below anemia criteria were remarkably increased. 6) Although the number of subjects tested was small and the subject selection was not done by random stratified sampling from a population group, this study suggested that the upper normal limit of MBL of Korean women seems to be in the range of 40-50ml.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.239-246
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• 1989

Preventive effect of azalea pollen extracts against aniline-induced hepatic toxicity in mice was investigated in this experiment. When the biochemical and histological changes were measured, preventive effect was more striking by treatment with water extract. After treatment with azalea pollen extracts, hepatic microsomal aniline hydroxylase activity increased as compared to control. Whereas, aniline level in serum and liver significantly decreased. The Vmax value without affecting Km value increased by the water extract treatment, the results obtained suggest that the characteristics of increase in the aniline hydroxylase activity may include induction of enzyme proteins. These data indicate that the observed preventive effects of azalea pollen extracts against hepatotoxicity is due to the induction of aniline metabolizing enzyme.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 1999

This study was carried out to investigate the four-week oral toxicity of the CH-50002 (Vibril vaccine) in beagle dogs. The beagle dogs were orally administered for 28 days, with dosage of 0.5, 5, 50 mg/kg/day, respectively. Animals treated with CJ-50002(Vibrio Vaccine) did not cause any death and show any clinical signs. There were not significantly different from the control group in urinalysis, ocular examination, hematological, serum biochemical value and histopathological examination. Therefore, CJ-50002(Vibrio Vaccine) was not indicated to have any toxic efent in the beagle dogs, when ti was orally administered below the dosage 50mg/kg/day for rour weeks.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.295-305
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• 1996

This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of dietary calcium level(a diet which met 100% or twice the calcium level in AIN-76 diet) on preventing bone loss in ovariectomized rats. Forty female Sprauge-Dawley rats(body weight 200$\pm$5g) were divided into two groups. One group were ovariectomized(Ovx) while the others received sham operation(Sham). Thereafter, each rat group was further divided into normal calcium diet(NCD, 0.52%) and high calcium diet(HCD, 1.04%) sub-groups. All rats were fed on experimental diet and deionized water ad libitum for 8 weeks. Urinary pyridinoline & creatinine and serum estradiol, luteinizing hormone, calcium, phosphate, total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were determined. There were no significant differences in serum calcium. total protein and albumin in the two groups(Ovx vs Sham) of rats. Ovariectomized rats had significantly lower estradiol than sham operated rats. There was a highly significant correlation between total bone mineral density(TBMD) and overall level of esteradiol(r=0.59, p<0.05). Total bone mineral density did not correlate significantly with ALP or osteocalcin, although a negative trend was evident. However, the rats fed high calcium diet had a lower crosslinks value and osteocalcine than the rats fed normal calcium diet. An increased rate of bone turnover is usually associated with a decrease in bone mass bexause bone formation at each remodeling site is never as great as resorption. Ovariectomized rats fed high calcium diet had a lower crosslink value and osteocalcin; it means high cacium diet decreased bone turnover rate. The findings from the present study demonstrated that bone loss due to ovarian hormonal deficiency can be partially prevented by a high calcium diet. Futhermore, these findings support the strategy of the use of a high calcium diet in the prevention of estrogen depletion bone loss (postmenopausal osteoporosis).

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 1974

The relative state of human iron storage may be ascertained more reliably through determination of the serum iron, iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation and absorption of radioactive iron in conjunction with studies of red cell morphology than from the study of red cell morphology alone. Recent investigations have shown that there is an increase in red cell protoporphyrin concentration in iron deficiency anemia. The significance of the red cell protoporphyrin has been discussed greatly during the years since its discovery. Two of the main factors which appear to influence the amaunt of protoporphyrin are increased erythropoiesis and factors interfering with the utilization of iron in the synthesis of hemoglobin, and iron deficiency. Recently Heller et al. have described a simplified method for blood protoporphyrin assay and this technique could be used assess nutritional iron status, wherein even minor insufficiencies are detectable as increased protoporphyrin concentrations. Based on the evaluation of the relationship between nutritional iron status and red cell protoporphyrin as an index suitable for the detection of the iron deficiency is described in this paper. RESULTS 1. Hemoglobin Concentrations and Anthropometric Measurements. The mean and standard deviations of the various anthropometric measurements of different age and sex groups are shown in table 1. There measurements have been compared with the Korean Standard. In the absence of local standards for arm circumference and skin-fold thickness over triceps, they have been compared with the standard from Jelliffe. Table 2,3, and 4 give anthropometric measurements and frequency (%) of anemia in children surveyed. The mean height of the children studid was 10 to 20 percent; below the Korean Standard. The distribution of height below 80 percent of the Standard was 21.2 percent, however, among anemic group this percentage was 27.7 percent. In general, the mean weight of the children was 10 to 15 percent below the Korean Standard. The percentage of children with weight less than 80 percent of the Standard was about 35 percent. But in the anemic group of the children, this percentage was 44 percent. The mean arm circumference was about 15 percent lower than the Jelliffe's standard. 61.2 percent of the children had values of arm circumference below 80 percent of the standard. Children with low hemoglobin levels, this percentage was 80 percent. The mean skinfold thickness over the triceps of the children studied was about 25 Percent lower than the Jelliffe's standard and 61.2 percent of the children had the value less than 80 percent of the standard. Among anemic children, this percentage was 70.8%. As may be seen from table 5, the mean hemoglobin concentration of the total group was 11.3g/100ml. Hemoglobin concentration was less than 11.0g/100ml. in 65(36.5%) of the 178 children. The degree of anemia in most of these children was mild with a hemoglobin level of less than 8.0g/100ml. found in only one child. In general, the prevalence of anemia was high in female children than male and decreased its frequency with increasing age. Relatively close relationship was observed between hemoglobin level and anthrophometric measurements especially high between arm circumference and skinfold thickness and hemoglobin but very low in height and low in weight and hemoglobin level, estimated by chi-square value. II. Serum iron, Transferrin saturation (1) Serum iron, and transferrin saturation Serum iron, transferrin saturation and red cell protoporphyrin concentrations were estimated in sub-sample of 84 children from 1 to 6 years and 24 older children between 7 and 13 years of age. The findings are presented in table 6. The mean serum iron concentration of the total group was 59ug/100ml. However, the level incrased with age from 36.6ug/100ml. (1-3years) to 80.8ug/100ml. (7-13 years). 60 percent of these children had a serum iron level less than 50ug/10ml. in the 1-3 years age group and 31.4 percent for 4-6 years group. These contrast with the finding of 12.5 percent anemic children in the 7-13 years age group. The mean transferrin saturation for the total group was 18.1 percent and frequency of anemia by transferrin saturation was observed same pattern as serum iron concentration. (2) Red cell protoporphyrin concentrations. (a) Red cell protoporphrin levels of children: Red cell protoporphyrin and other biochemical data are shown in table 4. The mean concentration in red cell of all children was fround 46.3ug/100ml. RBC. and differences with age groups were observed; in the age group 1-3 years, the mean concentration was $59.5{\pm}32.14$ ug/100ml. RBC; 4-6 years $44.1{\pm}22.57$ ug/100ml. RBC. and 7-13 years, $39.0{\pm}13.56$ ug/100ml. RBC. (b) Normal protoporphyrin values in adults: It was observed that in 10 normal adult males studied here the level of protoporphyrin in red cell ranged from 18 to 54 ug/100ml. RBC. and the mean concentration was $47.5{\sim}14.47$ ug/100ml. RBC. Other biochemical determination made on the same subjects are presented in table 8. (c) Red tell protoporphyrin concentration of occupational blood donors: The results of analyses for red cell protoporphyrin as well as serum iron, transferrin saturation and hemoglobin in the 76 blood donors are presented in table 7 and 8. In this experiment, donors were selected at random, however, most of them bled repeatedly because of poor economic situation, I doubt. Table 9 shows the distribution of red cell protoporphyrin concentration and hemoglobin concentration of occupational donors. The mean hemoglobin value for the total was 11.9 g/100 ml. When iron deficiency anemia is defined as a transferrin saturation below 15%, prevalence of anemia was 47.4 percent and the mean serum iron was 27.1ug/100ml. and red cell protoporphyrin, 168.3ug/100ml. RBC. However, mean serum iron and protoporphyrin concentration of above 15% transferrin saturation were 11.6 ug/100 ml. and 58.8 ug/100 ml. RBC. respectively. The mean Protoporphyrin concentration of non-anemic (above 15% transferrin saturation) donors was slightly higher than the results of normal adult males.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.215-220
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• 2013

Purpose: Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor in periodontal diseases. The pathogenesis of periodontal diseases may be affected by alterations of the inflammatory response by smoke. Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous, colorless, highly reactive, short-lived free radical with a pivotal role in the regulation of various physiological and pathological mechanisms in the body. It is important in host defense and homeostasis, on the one hand, whereas, on the other hand, it modulates the inflammatory response in periodontitis, leading to harmful effects. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of NO in both the serum and saliva of smokers and nonsmokers having chronic periodontitis and to compare them with periodontally healthy controls. Methods: Sixty subjects participated in the study and were divided into three groups: group I, healthy nonsmoking subjects; group II, nonsmoking patients with chronic periodontitis; group III, smoking patients with chronic periodontitis. Each group consisted of twenty subjects. The biochemical estimation of NO in the collected serum and in the saliva was performed using the Griess colorimetric reaction. Results: The results showed that the mean value of the salivary and serum NO was greater in group II than in group I, and also greater in group III than in group II. Conclusions: NO appears to play an important and rather complex role in the immuno-inflammatory process and in the remodeling and maintenance of osseous structures. It is therefore logical that modulation of this mediator has potential for the treatment of a number of inflammatory conditions including periodontal disease.