• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2007

Hexavalent chromium-contaminated soils are encounted at many unregulated discharge and improper handling of wastes from electroplating, leather tanning, steelmaking, corrosion control, and wood preservation industries. Contamination of hexavalent chromium in the soil is a major concern because of its toxicity and threat to human life and environment. Current technologies for hexavalent chromium-contaminated soil remediation are usually costly and/or cannot permanently prohibit the toxic element from entering into the biosphere. Thus, as an alternative technique, immobilization is seen as a cost-effective and promising remediation technology that may reduce the leachable potential of hexavalent chromium. The purpose of this paper is to develope an immobilization technique for the formation of the geochemically stabilized hexavalent chromium-contaminated soil from the reactions of labile soil hexavalent chromium forms with the added soluble phosphate and chromium reducing agent. From the liquid phase experiment, reaction order of chromium reducing agent, soluble phosphate, alkali solution shows the best removal efficiency of 95%. In addition, actual soil phase experiment demonstrates up to 97.9% removal efficiency with 1:1 molar ratio of chromium reducing agent and soluble phosphate. These results provide evidence for the potential use of soluble phosphate and chromium reducing agent for the hexavalent chromium-contaminated soil remediation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2625-2629
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• 2014

Background: Trace elements are major components of biological structures; however, excessive levels of these elements can be toxic. Materials and Methods: In the present study, serum levels of trace elements were measured in 30 patients with newly diagnosed as prostate cancer and 32 healthy volunteer by using furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results: It was found that there was an increase in serum levels of Co, Cu, Mg and Pb (p<0.05), whereas a decrease in serum levels of Fe, Mn, and Zn levels in patients with prostate cancer (p<0.05). Conclusions: These changes may be important in the pathogenesis of prostate cancers; however, further prospective studies are needed to identify relationships between prostate cancer and trace elements.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.499-502
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• 2013

Trace elements which are essential components of biological structures may also be toxic when present at levels above the amounts required for biological function. In our study, trace element levels were measured with furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 33 newly diagnosed renal cell carcinoma cases (preoperative) and 32 healthy controls. When compared with the control group, it was found that the levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) were higher and the levels of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) were lower in the patient group. These changes may be important in the formation of renal cell carcinoma, a question which should be explored with postoperative comparative studies.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.123-127
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• 1999

Iron is an essential nutrient but potentially toxic element in human. To identify the effects of iron on the gene expression of mammalian cell, we have isolated several genes that are regulated by iron using the RNA differential display method. RNAs were isolated from HeLa cells treated with iron supplement or iron chelator. A total of 24 genes were isolated and of these, four genes were identified by DNA sequencing and northern blot.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.371-374
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• 1995

An organic germanium compound, Ge-132, was reported to have interferon inducer activity, anti-tumor activity and anti-viral activity. ICP, AA and colorimetry methods were used for the determination of germanium in Ge-132. However these methods have a problem that they only give an information on the total amount of germanium element, and consequently Ge-132 connot be distinguished form toxic inorganic Ge compounds. To overcome this problem, ion chromatography was used to analyze Ge-132. Ge-132 was separated on Ionpac AS4A column with 1.3mM $Na_2B_4O_7$ buffer(pH=9.2) solution as an eluent and detected by the conductivity detector. Correlation coefficient of the calibration curve was 0.999 and the detection limit measured at S/N ratio of 3 was 50pmol. This method was applicable to the analysis of Ge-132 raw material and Ge-132 preparations.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.307-311
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• 2014

In this study, we isolated scopoletin from Cirsium setidens Nakai (Compositae) and tested its effects on melanogenesis. Scopoletin was not toxic to cells at concentrations less than $50{\mu}M$ and increased melanin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. As melanin synthesis increased, scopoletin stimulated the total tyrosinase activity, the rate-limiting enzyme of melanogenesis. In a cell-free system, however, scopoletin did not increase tyrosinase activity, indicating that scopoletin is not a direct activator of tyrosinase. Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that scopoletin stimulated the production of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase expression via cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. Based on these results, preclinical and clinical studies are needed to assess the use of scopoletin for the treatment of vitiligo.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2012

Differentially expressed genes by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) were identified in order to evaluate them as dioxin-sensitive markers and crucial signaling molecules to understand dioxin-induced toxic mechanisms in human bronchial cells. Gene expression profiling was analyzed by cDNA microarray and ten genes were selected for further study. They were cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily B, polypeptide 1 (CYP1B1), S100 calcium binding protein A8 (calgranulin A), S100 calcium binding protein A9 (calgranulin B), aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family, member A3 (ALDH6) and peroxiredoxin 5 (PRDX5) in up-regulated group. Among them, CYP1B1 was used as a hallmark for dioxin and sharply increased by TCDD exposure. Down-regulated genes were IK cytokine, interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 1 (IFIT1), nuclease sensitive element binding protein 1 (NSEP1), protein tyrosine phosphatase type VI A, member 1 (PTP4A1), ras oncogene family 32 (RAB32). Although up-regulated 4 genes in microarray were coincided with northern hybridization, down-regulated 5 genes showed U-shaped expression pattern which is sharply decreased at lower doses and gradually increased at higher doses. These results introduce some of TCDD-responsive genes can be sensitive markers against TCDD exposure and used as signaling cues to understand toxicity initiated by TCDD inhalation in pulmonary tissues.

• Ceramist
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.312-330
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• 2018

Energy storage/conversion has become crucial not only to meet the present energy demand but also more importantly to sustain the modern society. Particularly, electrical energy storage is critical not only to support electronic, vehicular and load-levelling applications but also to efficiently commercialize renewable energy resources such as solar and wind. While Li-ion batteries are being intensely researched for electric vehicle applications, there is a pressing need to seek for new battery chemistries aimed at stationary storage systems. In this aspect, Zn-ion batteries offer a viable option to be utilized for high energy and power density applications since every intercalated Zn-ion yields a concurrent charge transfer of two electrons and thereby high theoretical capacities can be realized. Furthermore, the simplicity of fabrication under open-air conditions combined with the abundant and less toxic zinc element makes aqueous Zn-ion batteries one of the most economical, safe and green energy storage technologies with prospective use for stationary grid storage applications. Also, Zn-ion batteries are very safe for next-generation technologies based on flexible, roll-up, wearable implantable devices the portable electronics market. Following this advantages, a wide range of approaches and materials, namely, cathodes, anodes and electrolytes have been investigated for Zn-ion batteries applications to date. Herein, we review the progresses and major advancements related to aqueous. Zn-ion batteries, facilitating energy storage/conversion via $Zn^{2+}$ (de)intercalation mechanism.

• 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.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.65-76
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• 2024

Bortezomib (BTZ) is a proteasome inhibitor used to treat multiple myeloma (MM). However, the induction of peripheral neuropathy is one of the major concerns in using BTZ to treat MM. In the current study, we have explored the effects of BTZ (0.01-5 nM) on rat neural stem cells (NSCs). BTZ (5 nM) induced cell death; however, the percentage of neurons was increased in the presence of mitogens. BTZ reduced the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-2 associated X protein ratio in proliferating NSCs and differentiated cells. Inhibition of βIII-tubulin (TUBB3) degradation was observed, but not inhibition of glial fibrillary acidic protein degradation, and a potential PEST sequence was solely found in TUBB3. In the presence of growth factors, BTZ increased cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) transcription, BDNF expression, and Tubb3 transcription in NSCs. However, in the neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y, BTZ (1-20 nM) only increased cell death without increasing CREB phosphorylation, Bdnf transcription, or TUBB3 induction. These results suggest that although BTZ induces cell death, it activates neurogenic signals and induces neurogenesis in NSCs.