• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.200-205
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• 1999

Objectives: This study was carried out to investigate the aluminum concentrations in blood, urine and drinking water, the factors which affect the concentrations and the role of silicon in patients who were taking antacid containing aluminum. Methods: We selected 122 peptic ulcer patients as cases and 144 healthy examinees as controls. Blood, urine, and drinking water were collected from the each study subject and we measured aluminum concentrations as well as silicon concentrations in the specimens. The factors including silicon affect on the aluminum concentrations were also analyzed, Results: 1. The mean duration of antacid administration was 12 months, and the mean daily and total amount of aluminum administration were 0.9 g and 304 g per each patient, respectively. 2. The blood and urine aluminum concentrations were significantly higher in the case. 3. The blood silicon concentration was significantly lower in the control group, and the urine silicon concentration was significantly higher in the case. 4. Urine aluminum concentration was significantly correlated with blood aluminum concentration (r=0.18), and urine silicon concentration was correlated with blood aluminum (r=0.19) and urine aluminum concentrations (r=0.13). 5. The longer the duration of antacid administration and the larger the total and daily amount of aluminum in the antacid were, the higher urine aluminum and silicon concentrations were, but not to a statistically significant degree. Conclusions: Blood and urine aluminum concentrations were higher in the ulcer patients. The authors suggest that follow-up studies of the patients who administered antacid with high aluminum content for long duration should be done.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.442-447
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: College students are in a period of transition from adolescence to adulthood, in which proper dietary habits and balanced nutritional intake are very important. However, improper dietary habits and lifestyles can bring several health problems. This study was performed to investigate blood lipid profiles, blood aluminum and mercury in college students and the relationships among them. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The subjects were 80 college students (43 males and 37 females) in Gyeonggi-do. General characteristics, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, blood lipids, SGOT, SGPT, and blood aluminum and mercury of the subjects were measured and analyzed, and their relationship was studied. RESULTS: The BMI was significantly higher in males, $23.69{\pm}3.20kg/m^2$, than in females, $20.38{\pm}2.37kg/m^2$ (P < 0.001). The blood pressure was significantly higher in males with $128.93{\pm}12.92mmHg$ systolic pressure and $77.14{\pm}10.31mmHg$ diastolic pressure compared to females with $109.78{\pm}11.97mmHg$ and $65.95{\pm}6.92mmHg$, respectively (P < 0.001). HDL cholesterol in males, $61.88{\pm}13.06mg/dl$, was lower than $64.73{\pm}12.16mg/dl$ in females, but other blood lipid levels were higher in males. Blood aluminum was significantly higher in males, $9.12{\pm}2.11{\mu}g/L$, than in females, $8.03{\pm}2.14{\mu}g/L$ (P < 0.05), and blood mercury was higher in males, $3.08{\pm}1.55{\mu}g/L$, than in females, $2.64{\pm}1.49{\mu}g/L$. The blood lipids showed positive correlation with obesity and blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of obesity, blood pressure, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol were higher in males, suggesting possible association with chronic disease incidence such as hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Thus, it is considered that a systematic health education is needed for college students, especially for males.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.196-204
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• 2016

Objectives: Aluminum is well known as a potent neurotoxicant. There are many reports that aluminum can be toxic to humans and to animals. However, there are only few studies on the assessment of aluminum exposure among humans in Korea. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate current aluminum concentrations among the adult population in regions of Korea. Methods: We selected 439 adults aged 20-89 years from the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region and certain other sites. Blood aluminum concentrations were analyzed using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS). The geometric means (GM) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of aluminum concentrations were calculated, and we also confirmed the proportion of excess of the aluminum reference value. Results: Total GM (95% CI) of aluminum levels was 14.26 (13.43-15.14) ppb. Levels among males (15.58 [14.09-17.22] ppb) were higher compared to among females (13.51 [12.54-14.55] ppb), and levels increased with subject age from 40 years and over. Three point one nine percent of the subjects exceed the reference value of 50 ppb. Lastly, aluminum concentration has a log-normal distribution with lnN (x; 2.89, 0.642), x>0. Conclusion: In the present study, we evaluated the distribution of blood aluminum concentrations among the normal population in Korea, and we found some adults exceeding the reference levels. However, in order to compare the results with other studies, an extended study including measurement of serum aluminum level is required. In addition, further research on various population groups, including occupational exposure of workers, is required.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.287-293
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• 1994

The effect of several adsorbents on paraquat poisohing was investigated (1) by measuring the saturatd amount of the poison adhered on the adsorbents in vitro and (2) by assaying the blood level of paraquat in the rat in in situ intestinal absorption experiments. Activated charcoal powder, natural aluminum silifonate) were used as adorbents. The steady-state blood level of paraquat in its absorption experiment with the cationic exchange resins was markedly lower than those without the resins or with other adsorbents. A good relationship was achieved between the calculated AUC or adsorptioin rate (in situ) and the saturated adsorption amount (in vitro). The rank order of the effect was sodium polystyene sulfonate > calcium polystyene sulfonate>natural aluminum silicate>activated charcoal powder. The effect of sodium polystyrene sulfonate after intestinal washing with physiological saline ws also measured, and a synergistic effect (marked decrease in blood paraquat level0 was found as compared with the intestinal washing alone. The simultaneous use of G.I. weshing and powerful adsorbent was scientifically proven to be most benefical.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.466-474
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• 2013

Despite the reports on safety concerns regarding the relationship between aluminum salts and neurological and bone disease, many countries continue to use aluminum as phosphate binders among patients with renal failure. In search for a diet supplement that could reduce aluminum toxicity related to renal failure, we carried out this prospective animal study in which the fenugreek seeds were assessed for their effects on rats nephrotoxicity induced by aluminum chloride ($AlCl_3$). Oral $AlCl_3$ administration during 5 months (500 mg/kg bw i.g for one month then 1600 ppm via drinking water) led to plasma biochemical changes, an inhibition of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a decrease of total antioxidant status (TAS), and an induction of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the blood and brain, in addition to kidney atrophy and morphological alterations at the level of Bowman's capsule, the glomerulus and different sorts of tubules, reminiscent of some known kidney disease. The treatment with the whole fenugreek seed powder (FSP) (5% in the diet) during the last 2 months showed its effectiveness in restoring normal plasma values of urea, creatinine, ALP and glucose, as well as re-increasing the TAS, inhibiting LPO and alleviating histopathological changes in the injured kidneys. This study highlights the induced nephrotoxicicity, as well as the related toxicity in the brain and bone, by chronic oral ingestion of the aluminum salts. However, the maintenance of a diet supplemented with fenugreek seeds could offer protection for the kidney, bone and brain, at the same time.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2004

In this paper, we described 23 cases of animal experiment with our pneumatic ventricular assist device and new durability-improvement method. The blood pump consists of blood housing, and back plate made by the injection molding of isoplast, and the diaphragm fabricated by dipping of polyurethane solution onto the aluminum mold. Its volume was 75 $m\ell$ and in-vitro test showed that maximum output was 4.5 $\ell$/min at the 100 mmHg. The adult female sheep with weight of 50 ＋ 10 kg were employed for tile in-vivo experiments and the mean blood flow was sustained at 3.0 1/min. 4 animals survived more than 15 days and the longest survival time was 28 days. In the prior 10 cases, the major causes of death were the tearing of diaphragm at the diaphragm to blood housing junction. By the new mesh and alumina ball milling methods, the durability was enhanced, and its qualitative and quantitative improvement was proved via the in-vivo and in-vitro methods. Animal experiments demonstrated that all the physiologic parameters a ere maintained within the permissible ranges and no thrombus formation was observed through the visual and blood test. The in-vivo experiments demonstrated our pneumatic ventricular assist device to he one month's bridge to transplantation device.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.343-354
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• 2018

Aluminum oxide nanoparticles ($Al_2O_3$ NPs) are among the most widely used nanomaterials; however, relatively little information about their risk identification and assessment is available. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the potential toxicity of $Al_2O_3$ NPs following repeated inhalation exposure in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were exposed to $Al_2O_3$ NPs for 28 days (5 days/week) at doses of 0, 0.2, 1, and $5mg/m^3$ using a nose-only inhalation system. During the experimental period, we evaluated the clinical signs, body weight change, hematological and serum biochemical parameters, necropsy findings, organ weight, and histopathology findings. Additionally, we analyzed the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), including differential leukocyte counts, and aluminum contents in the major organs and blood. Aluminum contents were the highest in lung tissues and showed a dose-dependent relationship in the exposure group. Histopathology showed alveolar macrophage accumulation in the lungs of rats in the $5mg/m^3$ group during exposure and recovery. These changes tended to increase at the end of the recovery period. In the BALF analysis, total cell and neutrophil counts and lactate dehydrogenase, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and interleukin-6 levels significantly increased in the 1 and $5mg/m^3$ groups during exposure. Under the present experimental conditions, we suggested that the no-observed-adverse-effect level of $Al_2O_3$ NPs in male rats was $1mg/m^3$, and the target organ was the lung.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.20-24
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• 2014

Purpose: The temperature of a warm fluid infused into a patient is lowered because the line that allows the fluid to be infused into the patient is exposed to room air. This study evaluated the effects of aluminum foil used as an insulator surrounding the fluid infusion lines when using warm crystalloid fluids to treat traumatic shock patients. Methods: The study measured the differences in fluid temperature between infusion lines with and without the aluminum-foil insulation. We used 1L of normal saline at $40^{\circ}C$ as the infusion fluid, and the fluid infusion line was 200 cm long. The differences in temperature were measured for various fluid flow rates from 12,000 mL/min to 100 mL/min. We performed three experiments at each flow rate. Results: The results showed the differences in temperature between the groups with and without the aluminum insulation were significant for flow rates above 100 mL/min. Conclusion: Hypothermia in trauma patients results in many adverse complications such as peripheral vascular constriction, tissue hypoxia, metabolic acidosis, heart dysfunction and so on. Thus, the use of warm fluids and blood components is essential to reduce the probability of hypothermia. This study showed the aluminum foil wrapped around the infusion line had an insulator effect. As a result, such a wrapping can be used to avoid the adverse effects of hypothermia.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.306-314
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• 2022

Background: Due to the rapid aging of the South Korean population, neurological diseases such as dementia are increasing. Many studies have reported that the incidence of dementia is associated with environmental factors along with age. Objectives: This study analyzed the association between cognitive function and ten heavy metals in the body: arsenic, aluminum, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, iron, copper, zinc, and lead. Methods: From 2018 to 2019, a total of 120 participants who suffered from cognitive impairment were recruited for this study. Blood and urine samples were collected and analyzed for heavy metal concentrations using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Demographic information was obtained through face-to-face questionnaires completed by a trained investigator. Cognitive function was evaluated with the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Korean version of the Boston Name Waiting Test. The associations between cognitive function scores and heavy metal concentrations were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The average age of the 120 participants was 72.7 years, and 69.2% were female. The mean of the MMSE-K and K-BNT scores were 22.9 and 37.9, respectively. The geometric mean of aluminum (Al) was 8.42 ㎍/L. MMSE-K was associated with iron (Fe), but the significance was removed in the logistic regression based on 24 points. K-BNT was significantly associated with aluminum and the odds ratio for K-BNT above 38 decreased by 45% as the aluminum concentration increased. Conclusions: The association between aluminum and the K-BNT score indicated that aluminum is associated with language-related cognitive decline. Based on this result, further study will be conducted by considering co-exposure effects of heavy metals including aluminum.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.72-83
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• 2014

Objective: This study was to evaluate whether herbal mixture (HM-A : Houttuynia cordata Thunberg, Rubus coreanus, Rehmannia glutinosa, Prunus yedoensis, HM-B : Houttuynia cordata Thunberg, Rubus coreanus, Rehmannia glutinosa, Angelica gigas nakai) supresses the development of atopic dermatitis in Balb/c mice sensitized by ovalbumin. Methods: Mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin plus aluminum hydroxide hydrate, followed by epicutaneous sensitization for 6 weeks. After induced atopic dermatitis, HM-A and HM-B were orally administrated for two weeks(once a two days) as a 50 mg/kg concentration. After all mice were sacrificed at the end of the experiment, skin and blood were harvested. Results: Oral administration group was reduced the infiltration of eosinophils, mast cells and total T cells on the skin areas as well as blood analysis. Also, cutaneous expression of IL-4,13,17 decreased. Blood IgE level was decreased. Conclusion: These drugs could be potential candidates for the atopic dermatitis.