• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.57-63
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• 2003

Background : This study was to investigate existing studies on the mushroom Phellinus linteus for possible applications in treating hard to cure diseases and uses in herbal acupuncture as the above is known to have an anti-cancer effects and stimulating the immune system. Results : Based on the literary consideration, the following results were obtained : 1. Proteins and polysaccharides of the Class Basidiomycetes activate the host immune system for anti-cancer action without known side effects, thus it can be given for the prevention and treatment of cancer as a supplement. Phellinus linteus mushroom showed the most significant effects. 2. The Phellinus linteus mushroom is a fungi in the family Hymenochaetaceae and Phellinus, under the class Basidiomycetes. Phellinus linteus can be often found on the trunk of mulberry trees and other latifoliate trees. 3. The characteristics of Phellinus linteus are sweet, neutral in temperature, non-toxic, dissipate the stagnated blood, stop bleeding, invigorate the blood circulation and remove stasis, and nourish qi. It has been used for treating continuous menstrual discharge among the female patients and removing masses in the abdomen to name a few. 4. Phellinus linteus contains agaric acid, fatty acid, C23 and other numerous enzymes. 5. Phellinus linteus is known to have anti-cancer and anti-oxidant effects, stimulation of the immune system, as well as anti-inflammatory effects, inhibition of angiogenesis, and analgesic actions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.193-198
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• 2023

Several chemicals have been developed owing to the progression of industrialization, among which endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs; essential for plastic production) are used as plasticizers and flame retardants. Plastics have become an essential element in modern life because they provide convenience, thus increasing EDCs exposure to humans. EDCs cause adverse effects such as deterioration of reproductive function, cancer, and neurological abnormalities by disrupting the endocrine system and hence are classified as "dangerous substances." Additionally, they are toxic to various organs but continue to be used. Therefore, it is necessary to review the contamination status of EDCs, select potentially hazardous substances for management, and monitor the safety standards. In addition, it is necessary to discover substances that can protect against EDC toxicity and conduct active research on the protective effects of these substances. According to recent research, Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) exhibits protective effects against several toxicities caused by EDCs to humans. In this review, the effects of EDCs on the human body and the role of KRG in protection against EDC toxicity are discussed.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.518-527
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to define the toxic effects of diuron and irgarol, which are new-antifouling agents, on the fertilization rate and normal embryogenesis rate in the sea urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus. In addition, the study was intended to confirm the hindrance of development in sea urchins. The fertilization rate of H. pulcherrimus was not decreased by the tested concentrations. However, the normal embryogenesis rate was decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. The 50% effective concentrations (EC₅₀) of normal embryogenesis rate were 7.12 mg L^-1 and 2.31 mg L^-1, respectively. As the embryos developed into pluteus larvae, after 18 h of exposure to diuron and irgarol at EC₅₀, development of the early gastrula stage was delayed, and significant developmental delays were observed after 24 h. After this, continuous developmental delays were observed in the process leading to the early gastrular, gastrular, early pluteus, and pluteus stages. Therefore, the toxic effects of diuron and irgarol on sea urchins were attributed to the delay in the developmental processes in the early life stages. Diuron and irgarol are highly persistent in the environment and have known-well toxic effects on various marine organisms including invertebrates, as shown in this study. Therefore, it is urgent to establish an environmental protection strategy to prevent the pollution of and preserve the marine environment.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2016

BACKGROUND: This study was initiated to quantitatively evaluate the effects of five heavy metals on the growth and P removal efficiencies of Alcaligenes sp., known as the Phosphorus Accumulating Organisms (PAOs). It was cultivated in the batch system with five heavy metals, such as Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ni, added in single and binary mixtures, respectively.METHODS AND RESULTS: IC₅₀ (half of inhibition concentration of bacterial growth) and EC₅₀ (half of effective concentration of phosphorus removal Efficiencies) were used to quantitatively evaluate the effects of heavy metals on the growth and phosphorus removal Efficiencies of Alcaligenes sp. In addition, Additive Index Value (A.I.V.) method was used to evaluate the interactive effects between Alcaligenes sp. and heavy metals. As a result, as the five heavy metals were singly added to Alcaligenes sp., the greatest inhibitory effects on the growth and P removal efficiencies of each bacteria was observed in the cadmium (Cd). In the binary mixture treatments of heavy metals, the treatments of lowest IC₅₀ and EC₅₀ were the Cd + Cu treatment. Based on the IC₅₀ and EC₅₀ of the binary mixtures of heavy metals treatments, most interactive effects between the heavy metals were found to be antagonistic.CONCLUSION: Based on the results obtained from this study, it appears that they could provide the basic information about the toxic effects of the respective treatments of single and binary mixtures of heavy metals on the growth and P removal efficiencies of Alcaligenes sp. through further study about the characterization of functional proteins involved in toxic effects of heavy metals.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 2007

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the present status of several environmental problems caused by emerging toxic substances such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and arsenic in various environmental media in Vietnam. Monitoring data reported during the 1990s demonstrated elevated contamination of DDTs in most of these compartments in Vietnam. Studies in frame of the Asia-Pacific Mussel Watch Program revealed that fish, mussels and resident birds from Vietnam contained higher concentrations of DDTs as compared to other countries in region, suggesting the role of Vietnamese environment as a significant emission source of DDT in the Southeast Asian region. The estimated dietary intakes of PCBs and DDTs for Vietnamese were relatively high among Asian developing countries, suggesting potential risk for humans posed by thesechemicals. Widespread contamination of some endocrine active compounds such as alkylphenols and phthalates was observed at various sites along the coasts of northern and middle Vietnam. The presence of significant source of bisphenol-A along Red River estuary was revealed with the concentrations comparable to those reported for developed nations. A case study on seasonal variation of alkylphenols and phthalates in surface water of river delta and estuary of north and middle Vietnam indicated the differences in distribution of these compounds between dry and rainy seasons. Higher concentrations of alkylphenols and phthalates were found in dry season in estuary; while the contrasting pattern was observed in the river delta, showing elevated residues in rainy season. This result suggests the different behavior of alkylphenols and phthalates in river delta and coastal environment. From ecotoxicological perspectives, concentrations of bis-phenol A and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalates [DEHP] in surface water from some locations in Vietnam exceeded the guideline values for Ecotoxicological Effects and the Environmental Risk Limit, respectively, suggesting potential for toxic implications on aquatic wildlife. Widespread and elevated arsenic contamination was discovered inour recent surveys in groundwater in a large area of suburban areas of Hanoi city, the capital of Vietnam. The most recent investigation in 4 villages showed about more than 50 % of groundwater samples contained As concentrations exceeding 50 g/L (the WHO and Vietnamese standard). In particular, in Son Dong villages, 58 % of samples analyzed contained As concentrations higher than 200 g/L. Good correlations were found in As concentrations in water and hair and urine of peoples in corresponding families, suggesting the chronic exposure to As by people living in As-contaminated ground water areas. In Son Dong village, As levels in hair (mean: 1.7 mg/kg dry wt) and urine (g/g creatinine) exceeding the reference values recommended by WHO, suggesting potential for human risk posed by long term accumulation of As in human body. Future studies should be focused on the time trends of POPs and EDCs in biota in Vietnam in order to predict future trend of contamination and to reveal new clues for understanding possible toxic impacts on aquatic organisms. The issues of arsenic contamination in groundwater and their chronic toxic implications on human health should be systematically investigated in the future.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.183-192
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• 2016

Silver nanomaterials have been intensively applied in consumer products of diverse industrial sectors because of their strong biocidal properties and reported to be hazardous to aquatic organisms once released in the environment. Nanomaterials including sliver, are known to be different in toxicity according to their physicochemical characteristics such as size, shape, length etc. However studies comparing toxicity among silver nanomaterials with different physicochemical characteristics are very limited. Here, toxicities of silver nanomaterials with different size (50, 100, 150 nm), length (10, $20{\mu}m$), shape (wire, sphere), and coating material (polyvinylpyrrolidone, citrate) using OECD test guidelines were evaluated in aquatic species (zebrafish, daphnia, algae) and compared. On a size property, the smaller of silver nanomaterials, the more toxic to tested organisms. Sphered type of silver nanomaterials was less toxic to organisms than wired type, and shorter nanowires were less toxic than longer ones. Meanwhile the toxic effects of materials coated on silver nanomaterials were slightly different in each tested species, but not statistically significant. To the best of our knowledge, it is first investigation to evaluate and compare ecotoxicity of silver nanomaterials having different physicochemical characteristics using same test species and test guidelines. This study can provide valuable information for human and environmental risk assessment of silver nanomaterials and guide material manufacturers to synthesize silver nanomaterials more safely to human and environment.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of cadmium chloride ($CdCl_2$), toxicant, and the protective effect of Chelidonium majus (CM) extract on $CdCl_2$-induced cytotoxicity in cultured NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Cell viability, the effect of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) against $CdCl_2$, and the antioxidative effects including DPPH-free radical scavenging activity, superoxide anion-radical scavenging activity (SSA), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were assessed. $CdCl_2$ caused a significant dose-dependent decrease in cell viability, and $XTT_{50}$ value was determined at 38.7uM of $CdCl_2$. It was determined as highly-toxic by Borenfreund and Puerner' toxic criteria. BHT of antioxidant significantly increased cell viability severely damaged by $CdCl_2$-induced cytotoxicity in these cultures. In the protective effect of CM extract on $CdCl_2$-induced cytotoxicity, CM extract significantly increased cell viability, DPPH-free radical scavenging activity, SSA and inhibitory activity of LDH. From these results, it is suggested that oxidative stress is involved in the cytotoxicity of $CdCl_2$, and CM extract showed protective efficacy on $CdCl_2$-induced cytotoxicity via antioxidative effects. Conclusively, natural resources like CM extract may be a putative antioxidative agent for the detoxification or diminution of toxicity correlated with oxidative stress.

• ALGAE
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.293-301
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• 2004

A chain-forming toxic din flagellate, Gymnodinium catenatum (Graham) was known as a paralytic toxin-producer among Gymnodinoid group. In the study, the effects of water temperature, salinity and irradiance on the growth of G. catenatum isolated from Yeosuhae Bay, Korea were investigated. Water temperature range in which G. catenatum showed specific growth rate higher than 0.3 day$^{-1}$ were above about 18${^{\circ}C}$. However, salinity did not have such an effect on growth of G. catenatum. The maximum growth rate (0.5 day$^{-1}$) was obtained at 25${^{\circ}C}$ and 30 psu. The specific growth rate (u) expressed as a polynomial equation as functions of temperature (T; ${^{\circ}C}$) and salinity (S; psu) was $\mu$ = 0.005·T$^2$ - 0.0001164 T$^3$ - 0.063-S + 0.005-S$^2$ - 0.00007608-S$^3$ - 0.003-T-S + 0.00005308-T$^2$-S. Thus, in aspects of water temperature and salinity, the species may be expected to survive in most Korean coastal waters from early summer to autumn. The irradiance-growth curve was described as = 0.16 (I - 10.4)/(1 + 21.8) at 18${^{\circ}C}$ and 30 psu, indicating a half-saturation (Ks) photon flux density (PFD) of 42.6$\mu$mol m$^{-2}s^{-1}$ and compensation PFD (I$_0$) of 10.4$\mu$mol m$^{-2}s^{-1}$. These characteristic responses to irradiance suggest that G. catenatum can reside at the sub-surface.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.24 no.2 s.62
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• pp.147-154
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• 2006

Effects of water temperature, salinity and irradiance on the growth of toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella (AlCt-01) were investigated, which was isolated from Jinhae Bay, Korea. The maximum growth of A. catenella strain was obtained at $150{\mu}E\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$. The ranges of temperature and salinity for the growth of the strain were $15\sim25^{\circ}C$ and $20\sim34$ PSU. The maximum growth rate of A. catenella determined was $0.45d^{-1}$ at $20^{\circ}C$, 30 PSU and $150{\mu}E\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$ We also examined the Se and Fe effects on the toxic dinoflagellate A. catenella in optimal growth conditions. As Fe concentration of medium increased from 0 to $11.7{\mu}M$, growth rate of A. catenella increased and the maximum growth rate(k=0.48 $d^{-1}$) was obtained at $11.7{\mu}M$ of Fe cone. Growth of A. catenella were stimulated at> 1nM of Se.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.488-496
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• 2020

This study was based on nitrate chemical accidents at home and abroad. Toxic gases due to adverse reactions are generated in the workplace, laboratory, hospital, container damage, and chemical misinjection. Through a case review of possible situations and safety, this study analyzed various cases of accidents, accident status, accident type, cause of the accident, location of the accidents, etc. from 2014 to 2018. The plans for improvement in education and nitrate accidents were reviewed. As a result, 36 nitrate chemical accidents were investigated, including 16 careless worker accidents, eight transportation accidents, and 12 facilities shortages. Nitrate chemical accidents are occurring continuously. Based on this, the range of toxic effects using CARIS was calculated at the worst-case scenario, and the effective response range was measured through the damage impact range. For this purpose, the impact range was predicted based on the strengthening of safety education, emergency action plan and correlation, and the quantified data was identified. In addition, the reliability of the scope of impact was reviewed based on the correlation formula that could facilitate the evacuation of residents, and it was applied to actual accident scenarios of the workplace to present the effects of the accident response and preventive measures.