• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2009

Objectives: Seminal concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) relevant to sperm nuclear DNA integrity has not been studied. The present study aimed to evaluate seminal concentration of TNF-${\alpha}$ in correlation with sperm parameters and nuclear DNA integrity in asymptomatic healthy donors. Methods: Semen samples were obtained by masturbation from forty-five healthy donors. Results: Sperm quality was assessed by computer-assisted semen analysis and nuclear DNA integrity measured by the TUNEL assay in raw semen. TNF-${\alpha}$ concentrations were measured by ELISA in frozen-thawed seminal plasmas. Sperm DNA fragmentation rates were ranged between 1.9% and 53.0% (mean${\pm}$SD, 12.4${\pm}$9.6%). Univariate analysis revealed that DNA fragmentation rate was not associated with sperm concentration or motility but had a correlation with linearity negatively (r=-0.325, p=0.03) and age positively (r=0.484, p=0.001). The mean seminal concentration of TNF-${\alpha}$ was 4.9 pg/mL with a range from 1.1 to 22.6 pg/mL. The TNF-${\alpha}$ concentration had no correlation with clinically relevant parameters of sperm quality or nuclear DNA fragmentation rate. Conclusion: Our results indicate that sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation may be not associated with seminal TNF-${\alpha}$ level or sperm quality in asymptomatic healthy donors.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2006

The most important progress in diagnostic sciences is the increased sensitivity and specificity in diagnostic procedures due to the development of micromethodologies and increasing availability of immunological and molecular biological reagents. The technological advances led to consider the diagnostic use of saliva for an array of analytes and DNA source. The purpose of the present study was to compare DNA from saliva with those from blood and buccal swab, to evaluate diagnostic and forensic application of saliva, to investigate the changes of genomic DNA in saliva according to the storage temperature and period of saliva samples, and to evaluate the integrity of the DNA from saliva stored under various storage conditions by PCR analysis. Peripheral venous blood, unstimulated whole saliva, stimulated whole saliva, and buccal swab were obtained from healthy 10 subjects (mean age: $29.9{\pm}9.8$ years) and genomic DNA was extracted using commercial kit. For the study of effects of various storage conditions on genomic DNA from saliva, stimulated whole saliva were obtained from healthy 20 subjects (mean age: $32.3{\pm}6.6$ years). After making aliquots from fresh saliva, they were stored at room temperature, $4^{\circ}C$, $-20^{\circ}C$, and $-70^{\circ}C$. Saliva samples after lyophilization and dry-out procedure were stored at room temperature. After 1, 3, and 5 months, the same experiment was performed to investigate the changes in genomic DNA in saliva samples. In case of saliva aliquots stored at room temperature and dry-out samples, the results in 2 weeks were also included. Integrity of DNA from saliva stored under various storage conditions was also evaluated by PCR amplification analysis of $\beta$-globin gene fragments (989-bp). The results were as follows: 1. Concentration of genomic DNA extracted from saliva was lower than that from blood (p<0.05), but there were no significant differences among various types of saliva samples. Purities of genomic DNA extracted from stimulated whole saliva and lyophilized one were significantly higher than that from blood (p<0.05). Purity of genomic DNA extracted from buccal swab was lower than those from various types of saliva samples (p<0.05). 2. Concentration of genomic DNA from saliva stored at room temperature showed gradual reduction after 1 month, and decreased significantly in 3 and 5 months (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). Purities of DNA from saliva stored for 3 and 5 months showed significant differences with those of fresh saliva and stored saliva for 1 month (p<0.05). 3. In the case of saliva stored at $4^{\circ}C$ and $-20^{\circ}C$, there were no significant changes of concentration of genomic DNA in 3 months. Concentration of DNA decreased significantly in 5 months (p<0.05). 4. There were no significant differences of concentration of genomic DNA from saliva stored at $-70^{\circ}C$ and from lyophilized one according to storage period. Concentration of DNA showed decreasing tendency in 5 months. 5. Concentration of genomic DNA immediately extracted from saliva dried on Petri dish were 60% compared with that of fresh saliva. Concentration of DNA from saliva stored at room temperature after dry-out showed rapid reduction within 2 weeks (p<0.05). 6. Amplification of $\beta$-globin gene using PCR was successful in all lyophilized saliva stored for 5 months. At the time of 1 month, $\beta$-globin gene was successfully amplified in all saliva samples stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ and $-70^{\circ}C$, and in some saliva samples stored at $4^{\circ}C$. $\beta$-globin gene was failed to amplify in saliva stored at room temperature and dry-out saliva.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.124-130
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• 2001

Ginkgo biliba has been used for bronchitis and asthma in oriental countries and its leaf extract(GBE) contains 24% ginkgoflavone glycoside and 6% terpenoid. Flavonoids and terpenoids are known to have various antioxidant effects such as scavenging of free radicals and chelation of transtional metals. Antioxidant effect of GBE against 1,2,4-benzenetriol(BT), one of toxic metabolites of benzene, was demonstrated throughbsister chromatid exchange(SCE) analysis, single cell gel electrophoresis(SCGE) analysis, DNA cleavage assay and lipid peroxidation production analysis. The means of SCE frequencies at 10, 25 and 50$\mu$M concentration of BT were 7.72, 8.02, 9.22 respectively. In addition of GBE with concentration of 50, 200 and 500$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$, SCE frequencies were decreased significantly.(p<0.05) According to SCGE analysis, BT induced DNA damage in a dose-dependent manner at concentration of 10 and 50 $\mu$m and the DNA damage induced by BT was significantly protected by GBE(p<0.001). No genotoxicity was observed by GBE treatment alone on DNA cleavage. The effect of BT on lipid peroxidation product, Malondiadehyde(MDA), was increased with concentration of BT(10 and 50 $\mu$M) and reduction in MDA was noted when GBE was added. From above results it is suggested that GBE could protect the cell and DNA from pro-oxidant effect by reactive oxigen species induced by BT.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.81-85
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• 1991

At the fifth day after right lung pneumonectomy in New-Zealand white rabbits $(0.8{\sim}1.1\;kg\;B.W.)$, phospholipid and protein concentration in the left lung lavage fluid were measured for clarification of the effect of unilateral pneumonectomy on the secretory function of the type II pneumocytes in growing rabbits. In an attempt to evaluate the effect of unilateral pneumonectomy on the compensatory growth of the residual lung, left lung weight and left lung weight-body weight ratio and DNA concentration, RNA/DNA and total DNA content in the left lung tissue were measured in pneumonectomized and in sham operated control rabbits. The lung weight of pneumonectomized rabbit was approximately two times heavier than that of the control rabbits. DNA concentration and RNA/DNA of the lung tissue were not changed but total DNA content was increased significantly. Phospholipid concentration in the lung lavage fluid of the pneumonectomized rabbits was over two times higher than that of control rabbits. from these experimental results, It is concluded that unilateral pneumonectomy in growing rabbits might cause to increase the secretion of pulmonary surfactant from type II pneumocyte of the residual lung. The cellular hyperplasia seems to be the primary response of the compensatory growing lung in unilateral pneumonectomized growing rabbits.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.527-533
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• 2018

This study compared the radioprotective effects of high-molecular-weight poly-gamma-glutamate (${\gamma}-PGA$, average molecular mass 3,000 kDa) and a reduced form of glutathione (GSH, a known radioprotector) on calf thymus DNA damage. The radiation-induced DNA damage was measured on the basis of the decreased fluorescence intensity after binding the DNA with ethidium bromide. All the experiments used $^{60}Co$ gamma radiation at 1,252 Gy, representing 50% DNA damage. When increasing the concentration of ${\gamma}-PGA$ from 0.33 to $1.65{\mu}M$, the DNA protection from radiation-induced damage also increased, with a maximum of 87% protection. Meanwhile, the maximal DNA protection when increasing the concentration of GSH was only 70%. Therefore, ${\gamma}-PGA$ exhibited significant radioprotective effects against gamma irradiation.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.17-20
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• 1996

The effect of Fumonisin B1, a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium moniliforme on bacterial viruses P1 and Lambda, was investigated by the virus plaque assay. Fumonisin B1 inhibited the P1 viral multiplication in the concentration range from $100{\mu}g$/ml to $400{\mu}g$/ml. The inhibition was Fumonisin B1 concentration-dependent. Another bacterial virus Lambda multiplication was also inhibited by lower concentration of Fumonisin B1 ($10{\mu}g$/ml~$50{\mu}g$/ml). This inhibition was dependent on Fumonisin B1 and on virus-Fumonisin B1 reaction time. Sensitivity of bacteriophage Lambda to Fumonisin B1 was higher than that of P1 virus. Lambda vital DNA was treated in vitro with Fumonisin B1 at various concentration. Significant DNA fragmentation by Fumonisin 191 was observed in the agarose gel electrophoresis. Lambda viral DNA was partially digested even in the Fumonisin B1 $10{\mu}g$ and the level of its fragmentation was dependent on Fumonisin B1 amount up to $30{\mu}g$ per assay.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2013

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by several species of Fusarium that are found in cereals and agricultural products. ZEN has been implicated in mycotoxicosis in farm animals and in humans. The toxic effects of ZEN are well known, but the ability of an alkaline Comet assay to assess ZEN-induced oxidative DNA damage in Chang liver cells has not been established. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the Comet assay for the determination of cytotoxicity and extent of DNA damage induced by ZEN toxin, and the second aim was to investigate the ability of N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) to protect cells from ZEN-induced toxicity. In the Comet assay, DNA damage was assessed by quantifying the tail extent moment (TEM; arbitrary unit) and tail length (TL; arbitrary unit), which are used as indicators of DNA strand breaks in SCGE. The cytotoxic effects of ZEN in Chang liver cells were mediated by inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of oxidative DNA damage. Increasing the concentration of ZEN increased the extent of DNA damage. The extent of DNA migration, and percentage of cells with tails were significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner following treatment with ZEN toxin (p < 0.05). Treatment with a low concentration of ZEN toxin (25 ${\mu}M$) induced a relatively low level of DNA damage, compared to treatment of cells with a high concentration of ZEN toxin (250 ${\mu}M$). Oxidative DNA damage appeared to be a key determinant of ZEN-induced toxicity in Chang liver cells. Significant reductions in cytolethality and oxidative DNA damage were observed when cells were pretreated with NACA prior to exposure to any concentration of ZEN. Our data suggest that ZEN induces DNA damage in Chang liver cells, and that the antioxidant activity of NACA may contribute to the reduction of ZEN-induced DNA damage and cytotoxicity via elimination of oxidative stress.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.20-24
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• 2006

Plasmid DNA (pDNA) is a product of interest for many biopharmaceutical companies and research laboratories, because of increase in the number of gene therapy protocols that use nonviral vectors. This work was undertaken to study the effect of antibiotic and dissolved oxygen concentration (DOC) on the production of a ColE 1-type plasmid (pVAX1-LacZ) hosted in Escherichia coli $DH5\alpha$ and cultured in a batch fermentor with 0.751 of Terrific Broth. A decrease in the DOC from $60\%\;to\;5\%$ was shown to increase the specific pDNA concentration approximately 1.5-fold, due to the downregulation of growth. Additionally, this increase in the pDNA concentration led to a 2.2-fold increase in the purity of cell lysates obtained after cell lysis. However, the use of higher DOC led to 2.8-fold higher volumetric productivity as a consequence of a faster growth rate, reducing the fermentation time from 24 to 8 h. Interestingly, the specific pDNA concentration, and pDNA productivity and purity were always higher $(10-15\%)$ in the absence of antibiotic. Overall, the data indicate that nonselective conditions can be used without compromising yield, productivity, and purity of pDNA.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2000

The mechanisms of benzene toxicity is not fully elucidated, although the metabolism of benzene is very well understood. In order to study the mechanism of benzene toxicity, we investigated DNA damage induced by benzene metabolite, 1,2,4-benzenetriol (BT) in HL-60 cells by alkaline comet assay. To investigate the mechanism of cellular DNA damage induced by BT, the cells were treated with antioxidant such as vitamin C, SOD, catalase, and chelating agent such as deferoxamine (DFO), bathocuproinedisulfonic acid (BCDS). BT induced DNA damage in dose-dependent manner at concentration between 10$\mu\textrm{m}$ and 100$\mu\textrm{m}$. The antioxidant vitamin C itself induced DNA damage at higher concentration. The DNA damage induced by BT in HL-60 cells was protected at low concentraiton of vitamin C whereas no protective effect was found at high concentration. In hibitory effect of SOD on DNA damage by BT was observed and this suggested that BT produce superoxide anion (O2-) causing DNA damage. Catalase protected BT-induced DNA damage suggesting that BT produce H2O2 during autooxidation of BT. Both Fe(II)-specific cheiating agent, deferoxamine (DFO) and Cu(I)-specific chelating agent, bathocuproinedisulfonic acid (BCDS) inhibited BT0induced DNA damage. This suggested that DNA damage was caused by active species which was produced DAN damage. This suggested that DNA damage was caused by active species which was produced by the autooxidation of BT in the presence of Cu(II) and Fe(III). These findings suggest that reactive oxygen species play an important role in the mechanism of toxicity induced by benzene metabolites.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.4316-4320
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• 2011

The effects of various hydroxide compounds on base stacking (BS) were investigated for pre-concentration of DNA molecules in capillary electrophoresis (CE). In BS, hydroxide ions ($OH^-$) were electrokinetically introduced after DNA sample injection. A neutralization reaction occurred between the $OH^-$ and $Tris^+$ of the running buffer, which resulted in a zone of lower conductivity. Within the low conductivity zone of the high electric field, the DNA molecules moved more rapidly and were concentrated in front of the low conductivity zone. At the same BS conditions of CE, the enhanced sensitivity of the DNA samples was dependent on the kind of multivalent cations in the hydroxide compounds. Except for LiOH, the hydroxide compounds with monovalent cations showed more effective BS than those with divalent cations because of solubility, ionic strength and electronegativity. The order of hydroxide compounds that enhance the detection sensitivity of DNA molecules was as follows: NaOH > $NH_4OH$ > KOH > $Ba(OH)_2$ > $Sr(OH)_2$ > LiOH > $Ca(OH)_2$ > $Mg(OH)_2$. $NH_4OH$, KOH and $Ba(OH)_2$ proved to be efficient hydroxide compounds to use as effective BS reagents in CE instead of NaOH.