• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.33-49
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• 1977

These studies were carried out to detect the presence of mycotoxin fungi and detoxification of toxins in various kinds of grain and foodstuffs in Korea. The experiments were divided into three parts: mycologic, toxicologic and electron microscopic study. The resuIts were summarized as follows: 1. From the 210 various, samples(local grains, 150 samples; rice-cakes, 50 samples; meju, 10 samples), 1,205 colonies or fungi were isolated. In 1,127 of 1,205 colonies, it was possible to identify 21 genera. Among the identified strains, the predominant genera were Aspergillus sp.(28.5%), Penicillium sp.(27.1%) and Mucor sp.(7.8%). 2. In cytotoxicity test on HeLa cells, 25 strains showed severe toxic effects among the 240 strains of experiments. 3. In histopathologic test on mice, 21 strains showed severe toxic effect to mouse liver cells among the 240 tested strains. 4. In electron microscopic studies of HeLa cells and mouse liver cells from animal which had been treated with crude toxin, the liver cells showed the cytoplasmic change: dillatation or vacuolization of endoplasmic reticulum, swelling of mitochondria and disappearance of mitochondrial cristae, increased number of lipid and glycogen particles. Nucleus and nucelar envelope alterations, were also noted. 5. In the detoxification study with ultraviolet irradiation, 90% of the toxic substances were denatured by the ultraviolet light irradiation for 24 hours. 6. As a mass screening, the cytotoxicity test of HeLa cells and histopathologic study of mice liver cells treated with culture filtrates, employed and feasible to detect mycotoxin producing fungi.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.435-444
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• 2003

In 1957, Schwarz and Foltz discovered that selenium (Se) was an essential trace mineral and nutritionists then started extensive studies to figure out the metabolic function of this element which has been called as toxic mineral. The discovery that glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) contained Se demonstrated a biochemical role for Se as an essential trace element. The major physiological function of Se containing GSH-Px is thought to maintain low levels of $H_2O_2$ and other hydroperoxides in the cell to prevent tissues from peroxidation damages. It is known that the GSH-Px activity is increased when animals were fed high dietary levels of Se. Chemical properties of Se have much in common with sulfur (S) therefore Se would follow the sulfur pathways in its metabolism in animal body. Two sources of Se are available for supplementation of Se in animal feed. Inorganic Se can also exist in selenide (-2), elemental (0), selenite (+4) and selenate (+6) oxidation state with other minerals. When sulfur in S containing amino acids is replaced by Se, organic Se can be made and named "eleno"prior to the name of S containing amino acid, i.e. selenomethionine. Selenium deficiency affects humans as well as animals and dysfunctions such as exudative diathesis, retained placenta, mastitis, liver necrosis, Keshan disease, numerous diseases and cancer. From several centuries ago, Se toxicity was recognized in various animal species and much of the current toxic Se levels has been established largely based upon the controlled toxicity studies used inorganic Se. Toxic effects of Se in animal result in reduced feed intake, growth retardation, ataxia, diarrhea, alopecia and sloughing of hooves. However, several experiments demonstrated that Se deficiencies or toxicities were varied by dietary Se levels and sources. Recent studies demonstrated that the incidence of colorectal and prostate cancer was reduced by approximately 50% when humans consumed 200 ${\mu}g$ of Se daily.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.437-441
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• 2010

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens Johnson syndrome (SJS) are rare, life-threatening mucocutaneous -diseases, usually attributable to drugs and infections. Corticosteroids have been used in the management of TEN for the last 30 years. This remains controversial and is still much debated. TEN can occur despite administration of high doses of systemic corticosteroids. The psychiatric side effects of corticosteroids can include headache, insomnia, depression, and mood disorders with or without psychotic episodes. Steroid-induced psychosis is dealt with by tapering or discontinuing the steroid; antipsychotics are also sometimes used. We report a case of an 11-year-old boy who was admitted with TEN. He had also been diagnosed as having nephrotic syndrome in the past. Remission was achieved through induction therapy and by maintaining the use of steroids. After a full-dose intravenous dexamethasone for TEN, he showed psychotic symptoms. We diagnosed him as having steroid-induced psychosis. We tapered the steroid use and initiated an atypical antipsychotic medication, olazapine and intravenous immunoglobulin (IV-IG). His symptoms dramatically improved and he was discharged.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.101-107
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• 2006

Objectives : It is well known that hexavalent chromium has toxic effect on normal cells. Recently, toxic effect of hexavalent chromium is diminished by the some extracts derived from herbs or plants. But, the toxic or protective mechanism of hexavalent chromium is well unknown. This study was performed to examine the protective effect of poncirin against $Na_2Cr_2O_7$-induced cytotoxicity on NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Methods : The protective effect of the cytotoxicity induced by $Na_2Cr_2O_7$ was measured by the cell viability after NIH3T3 fibroblasts were cultured with or without $Na_2Cr_2O_7$ for 48 hours. Antitoxic effects of poncirin on the cytotoxicity induced by $Na_2Cr_2O_7$ were examined by colorimetric assays such as MTT or XTT assay. Results : $Na_2Cr_2O_7$ decreased cell viability by the decreased absorbance in MTT or XTT assay, but, the poncirin increased cell viability which was decreased by $Na_2Cr_2O_7$-induced cytotoxicity on NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Conclusion : These results suggest that $Na_2Cr_2O_7$ showed cytotoxicity effect on NIH3T3 fibroblasts by the decrease of cell viavility, and poncirin was effective in the protection of $Na_2Cr_2O_7$-induced cytotoxicity in these cultures.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.116-124
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• 2010

This study was aimed to clerify the cytotoxicity of some plant extracts such as Hosta longissima HONDA (HL), Hemerocallis fulva var. Kwanso REGL (HFVK), Hemerocallis fulva L (HF), Macrocapium officinale NAKAI (MO) and Mentha canadensis var. piperascens HARA (MCVP), the cultured NIH3T3 fibroblasts were treated with 25, 50, 100, 150 and $200{\mu}g/mL$ of five kinds of plant extracts for 48 hours, respectively. The cytotoxicity of plant extracts was measured by MTT and NR assays for the cell viability, and XTT assay for the cell adhesion activity. In this study, HL, MO and FHVK extracts showed the range of midtoxic-non toxic by the criteria of chemical cytotoxicity. While, the HF and MCVP extracts showed midtoxic. In the extract cytotoxicity, HL, MO and FHVK extracts showed non-toxic by the criteria of extract cytotoxicity. While, HF extract was determined as lower-toxic. In the responsive sensitivity of each plant extract on colorimetric assays, HF extract was sensitive to mitochondrial enzyme by MTT assay, lysosomal enzyme by NR assay and mitochondrial nucleus by XTT assay. While, MCVP extract was sensitive to mitochondrial enzyme by MTT assay and lysosomal enzyme by NR assay than other assays. While, HL, HFVK and MO extracts were most sensitive to NR assay. Cell culture is one of useful materials in the screening of cytotoxic and recovary effect on the putative chemical agents or plant extract. And also, colorimetric assay is regarded as very useful tools for quantitative measurement of cytotoxic effect on plant extracts in vitro.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.21-25
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• 2007

The root of Rosa rugosa has been used in folkloric medicine as a treatment agent for diabetes. In the present study, we investigated whether (+)-catechin isolated from this plant can change the activities of hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes in rats treated with bromobenzene. Pretreatment with (+)-catechin gave no effects on the activities of aminopyrine N-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase, enzymes forming toxic bromobenzene epoxide intermediates and glutathione Stransferase, an enzyme removing toxic epoxides. However, the activity of epoxide hydrolase, an enzyme detoxifying the bromobenzene toxic intermediates was mildly recovered by (+)-catechin treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.43-50
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• 2023

Silicone tetrachloride (SiCl₄) leak accidents cause enormous human and environmental damage because it is highly toxic. Some handling facilities use water curtains to reduce the impact range of SiCl₄. Although the water curtain is known as one of the most efficient technologies for post-release mitigation, its effect on reducing SiCl₄ concentration needs to be investigated scientifically and quantitatively. In this study, three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to investigate the physical and chemical effects of water curtains as a release-mitigation system for SiCl₄. SiCl₄ is released and dispersed five seconds prior to the operation of the water curtain. Once the water curtain works, the SiCl₄ reacts chemically with the water and its concentration decreases rapidly; it reaches an emergency response planning guidelines level 2 (ERPG-2) of 5 parts per million (ppm) at about 570 m. We observed, however, that the physical effect of water curtains on reducing SiCl₄ concentration is insignificant when the chemical effect is eliminated. These results are crucial since they can be a scientific and quantitative basis for the 'technical guidelines for estimating the accident affected range'. In order to protect the public from chemical accidents, more toxic gas mitigation technologies need to be developed.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.44-54
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• 2024

One of the serious modern environmental problems is pollution caused by highly toxic pesticides. Only small amounts of applied pesticides reach their target, and the rest ends up in soil and water. Chlorpyrifos is a toxic, broad-spectrum organophosphate insecticide. In humans, chlorpyrifos inhibits acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the peripheral and central nervous system, and particularly in children, small amounts of this pesticide cause neurotoxic damage. As the toxic effects of chlorpyrifos and its persistence in the environment require its removal from contaminated sites, it is essential to study the biological diversity of chlorpyrifos-degrading microorganisms. In this study, we sought to determine the chlorpyrifos-degrading ability of the bacterial strain Ochrobactrum intermedium PDB-3. This strain was isolated from soil contaminated with various pesticides and identified as PDB-3 based on morpho-cultural characteristics, MALDI-TOF MS, and 16S rRNA. Studies were conducted for 30 days in sterile soils containing initial concentrations of 50, 75, 100, and 125 mg/kg of chlorpyrifos. To determine the degradation of chlorpyrifos, a liquid culture of the strain was added to the soil at three optical densities: 0, and after 24 and 48 h (OD = 0.03, 0.2 and 0.32). Using GX-MS, we determined that chlorpyrifos was converted to 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP). We also found that with increasing optical density, rapid degradation of the initial concentration of chlorpyrifos occurred. Sterile soil without strain PDB-3 was used as a control sample.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.157-161
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• 2010

Forest soils are often nitrogen-limited, and nitrogen input to forest soils can cause substantial changes in the structure and functions of a soil ecosystem. To determine the effects of nitrogen input on methane oxidation and the microbial enzyme activities, manipulation experiments were conducted using nitrogen addition to soil samples from Mt. Jumbong. Our findings suggested that the addition of nitrogen to the soil system of Mt. Jumbong did not affect the microbial enzyme activities. Conversely, the addition of nitrogen affected the rate of methane oxidation. Inorganic nitrogen in soils can inhibit methane oxidation via several mechanisms, such as substrate competition, toxic effects, and competition with other microbes, but the inhibitory effects are not always the same. In this research, seasonal changes were found to produce different inhibitory factors, and these different responses may be caused from differences in the methantrophic bacteria community structure.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.38 no.2 s.149
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• pp.152-156
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• 2007

Protein-bound polysaccharide is derived from Acanthopananx senticosus by the cold water extraction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of PS against weight loss and hematological change as a indication of toxicity produced by the treatment of cisplatin. PS protected the weight loss caused by cisplatin (6 mg/kg) and significantly recovered hematological change. Treatment of PS showed the recovery on the weight loss and hematological change as indicators of toxicity of cisplatin treatment. By increasing lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production, PS may be highly effective in protecting against cisplatin-induced toxicity. The results suggest PS might have a role in reducing toxicity or permitting larger dose of cisplatin to be given.