• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 2008

The present study was carried out to investigate the potential adverse effects of 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol on pregnant dams after maternal exposure during the gestational days (GD) 6 through 19 in Sprague-Dawley rats. The tested chemical was administered orally to pregnant rats at dose levels of 0, 10, 30, or 90 mg/kg/day. During the test period, clinical signs, mortality, body weights, food consumption, serum biochemistry, gross findings, organ weights, and Caesarean section findings were examined. In the 90 mg/kg group, decreases in the body weight gain and food consumption, and increases in the weights of liver and adrenal glands were observed. Serum biochemical investigations revealed increases in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), cholesterol (CHO), triglyceride (TG), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bilirubin (BIL) and decreases in glucose (GLU), albumin (ALB) and total protein (TP). In the 30 mg/kg group, a decrease in the food consumption and an increase in the liver weight were observed. Serum biochemical investigation also showed increases in CHO and TG and a decrease in glucose. Since there were no signs of maternal toxicity in the 10 mg/kg group, it is considered to be the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol. It is concluded that successive oral administration of 1,3-dichloro- 2-propanol to pregnant rats for 14 days may cause significant toxicities in body weight and liver at a dose rate ${\geq}$ 30 mg/kg/day.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.1071-1080
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• 2017

This study examined the adhesiveness of beneficial intestinal bacteria to whole-grains using confocal scanning laser microscopy (CLSM), to demonstrate the prebiotic effects of whole-grains, and to develop prebiotic puffed snacks with these whole-grains. CLSM has been used to observe the adhesiveness of Lactobacillus acidophilus, which belongs to beneficial intestinal bacteria, to whole-grain powders using optical sectioning techniques. The enhanced effects on the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria with the hot water grain extract were verified using an indirect count method. Finally, a puffed snack was produced with the prebiotic effect and the quality was evaluated by checking the chromaticity and degree of hardness. As a result, L. acidophilus exhibited adhesive ability to whole-grain powders and growth of selected beneficial intestinal bacteria were improved significantly. The Hunter L value of the developed puffed snack increased when seasoning was added. The hardness of the puffed snack with seasoning was higher than that of the control. The results of a sensory evaluation showed that the puffed snack with seasoning was highly rated in the overall preference compared to the control.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.08a
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• pp.185-185
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• 2012

중공 발광 나노 물질은 특유의 구조적 특성(낮은 밀도, 높은 비표면적, 다공성 물질, 낮은 열팽창계수 등)과 광학적 성질을 이용하여 디스플레이 패널, 광결정, 약물전달체, 바이오 이미징 라벨 등의 다양한 적용이 가능하다. 이러한 적용에 있어 균일한 크기와 형태의 중공 입자는 필수 조건으로 여겨진다. 지금까지 합성된 중공 발광 입자에는 BaMgAl10O17 : Eu2+-Nd3+, Gd2O3 : Eu3+, $EuPO_4{\cdot}H_2O$과 같은 것들이 있으나 크기 조절이 어렵고, 그 균일성이 확보되지 못하였다. 균일한 크기의 중공 발광 입자를 만들기 위해 SiO2나 emulsion을 템플릿으로 이용하여 황화카드뮴, 카드뮴 셀레나이드 중공 입자를 합성한 예가 있으나, 양자점의 독성으로 인하여 바이오분야 응용에는 적합하지 않다. YAG는 모체로써 형광체에서 가장 많이 이용되는 물질로, 화학적 안정성과 낮은 독성, 높은 양자 효율 등 많은 장점을 갖고 있다. 특히 세륨이 도핑된 YAG형광체의 경우 WLED, 신틸레이터, 바이오산업에 적용이 가능하다. 그러나 지금까지 중공 YAG:Ce3+형광체를 합성한 예가 없었다. 본 연구에서는 단분산 수화 알루미늄 (Al(OH)3) 입자 위에 세륨이 도핑 된 이트륨 베이직 카보네이트 ($Y(OH)CO_3$)를 균일하게 코팅한 후 열처리를 하여 균일한 크기의 Y3Al5O12:Ce3+(YAG) 중공 입자를 합성하였다. 열처리 온도에 따른 고분해능 투과 전자 현미경(HRTEM), X-선 회절(XRD), 고분해능 에너지 분광법(HREDX) 분석결과, 중공 YAG: Ce3+입자는 Kirkendall 효과에 의해 형성됨을 확인하였다. 전계방사형 주사 전자 현미경(FE-SEM) 측정을 통해, 열처리 후에도 입자의 크기와 형태가 균일함을 확인하였으며, 공초점 현미경 관찰을 통해 중공 형태를 명확히 확인 할 수 있었다. Photoluminescence (PL) 분광법과 형광 수명 이미징 현미경(FLIM)을 이용한 광 특성 분석결과, 합성된 입자는 400-500 nm에서 흡수 파장 (456 nm에서 최대 강도)과 500-700 nm 범위의 발광 파장(544 nm에서 최대 강도)을 나타냈고, 상용 YAG: Ce3+(70 ns)에 준하는 74 ns의 잔광 시간(decay time)이 측정되었다. 단분산 수화 알루미늄 입자의 크기를 조절하여 최종 합성된 YAG: Ce3+의 크기를 조절할 수 있었다. 지름 약 600 nm의 Al(OH)3를 사용한 경우, $1,300^{\circ}C$에서 열처리를 한 후 평균 지름 590 nm의 중공입자를 합성하였고, 약 170 nm의 Al(OH)3를 이용하여, 더 낮은 온도인 $1,100^{\circ}C$에서의 열처리를 통해 평균지름 140 nm의 중공 YAG: Ce3+입자를 합성하였다. 본 연구를 통하여 합성된 균일한 크기의 YAG 중공입자는 LED와 같은 광전변환 소자 및 다기능성 바이오 이미징 등의 나노바이오 소자 분야에 활용될 수 있음이 기대된다.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 1996

The hypothesis that calcium provoke $O_2^-$ formation by Kupffer cells and may contribute to carbon tetrachloride $(CCl_4)$ induced liver injury was studied in SD rats. In $CCl_4-treated$ animals, hepatic malonaldehyde (nmole/gm liver) and plasma ALT (IU/ml) levels elevated significantly from $119.63{\pm}13.00$ to $268.97{\pm}14.82$ and from $17.3{\pm}0.18$ to $806.08{\pm}37.63$, respectively, compared to those in controls. Activation of Kupffer cells with high dose of retinol (250,000 IU/kg/day, po, for 7 day) significantly enhanced ALT levels, while inactivation of Kupffer cells with gadolinium chloride (7.5 mg/kg/day, ip, for 2 day) attenuated the increase of serum ALT level following $CCl_4$ treatment. Diltiazem (10 mg/kg/day, ip for 2 day) given in combination with retinol led to a marked decrease in ALT levels compare to the level in rats treated only with retinol against $CCl_4$ treatment. In order to determine any alterations in cytochrome P450 activities, the P450 content and the CYP2E1 activity were measured and all $CCl_4-treated$ rats showed significantly lower levels compared to those in controls and vehicle-treated animals. There were significant increases in glutathione peroxidase in all $CCl_4-treated$ rats except diltiazem treated groups. No difference was found among untreated and vehicle-treated rats. It is concluded that Kupffer cells contribute to $CCl_4-induced$ liver injury and that calcium antagonist attenuated the increased $CCl_4-induced$ liver injury due to activation of Kupffer cells.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.518-525
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• 1995

목적 : 안구제거술 후에 삽입한 hydroxyapatite 안구보충물내로 혈관신생이 완전하게 일어 나는 시기를 알아보기 위함이다. 방법 : 안구제거술을 받은 43예의 환자(남자 33예, 여자 10예, 14-56세)에게 대부분 변경되지 않은 방법으로 hydroxyapatite 안구보충물을 삽입한 후 10-23주 사이에 다양한 간격(10-12 주 2예, 13-16주 18예, 17-20주 20예, 21-23주 3예)을 두고 $^{99m}Tc-MDP$ 골주사를 시행하여 보충물내로의 혈관신생 정도를 전향적으로 측정하였다. 정면 및 측면촬영의 정적영상에서 안구보충물의 방사능섭취가 비교(nasal bridge)의 방사능섭취보다 약할 경우를 grade 1, 같을 경을 grade 2, 강할 경우를 grade 3로 나누었으며 grade 2와 3을 혈관신생이 완전하다고 정의하였다. 또한 43예 모두에서 방사능섭취 정도와 관계없이 안구보충물 삽입후 평균 21주되는 시기에 안구보충물에 구멍을 내어 이 구멍으로부터의 출혈여부를 확인한 후 운동성나사(motility peg)를 끼워 의안(prosthesis)과 연결하였다. 43예중 7예에서는 $^{99m}Tc-MDP$ 골주사와 조영제주입후의 자기공명영상(Gd-DTPA T1-weighted images)을 같은 날짜에 시행하여 각각의 예에서 방사능섭취 정도와 조영제증강 정도를 비교하였다. 결과 : 안구보충물내로 완전하게 혈관신생이 일어났던 grade 2와 3의 비율은 안구보충물삽입후 10-12주에서는 0%, 13-16주 33%, 17-20주 50%, 21-23주 67%로써 시간경과에 따라 점차 증가하였다. 골주사소견에 관계없이 안구보충물 삽입후 평균 21주되는 시기에 보충물 앞쪽에 구멍을 내었을 때 43예 모두에서 완전한 혈관신생을 의미하는 출혈을 볼 수 있었다. $^{99m}Tc-MDP$ 골주사와 조영제주입후의 자기공명영상을 둘 다 시행한 7예 각각에서 방사능섭취의 정도와 조영제증강의 정도가 거의 일치하였다. 결론 : 본 예비연구의 결과로써 hydroryapatite 안구보충물 삽입후 21주째에 $^{99m}Tc-MDP$ 골주사를 시행하는 것이 좋을 것으로 생각되며, hydroxyapatite 안구보충물내로의 완전한 혈관신생 여부를 보는 데에는 $^{99m}Tc-MDP$ 골주사가 조영제주입후의 자기공명영상보다 더 경제적이라고 할 수 있겠다.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.71-81
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• 2017

Purpose: To compare three, motion-resistant, T1-weighted MR sequences on the hepatobiliary phase for gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging of the liver. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 79 patients underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced, 3T liver MR imaging. Fifty-nine were examined using a standard protocol, and 20 were examined using a motion-resistant protocol. During the hepatocyte-specific phase, three MR sequences were acquired: 1) gradient recalled echo (GRE) with controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration (CAIPIRINHA); 2) radial GRE with the interleaved angle-bisection scheme (ILAB); and 3) radial GRE with golden-angle scheme (GA). Two readers independently assessed images with motion artifacts, streaking artifacts, liver-edge sharpness, hepatic vessel clarity, lesion conspicuity, and overall image quality, using a 5-point scale. The images were assessed by measurement of liver signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and tumor-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The results were compared, using repeated post-hoc, paired t-tests with Bonferroni correction and the Wilcoxon signed rank test with Bonferroni correction. Results: In the qualitative analysis of cooperative patients, the results for CAIPIRINHA had significantly higher ratings for streak artifacts, liver-edge sharpness, hepatic vessel clarity, and overall image quality as compared to, radial GRE, (P < 0.016). In the imaging of uncooperative patients, higher scores were recorded for ILAB and GA with respect to all of the qualitative assessments, except for streak artifact, compared with CAIPIRINHA (P < 0.016). However, no significant differences were found between ILAB and GA. For quantitative analysis in uncooperative patients, the mean liver SNR and lesion-to-liver CNR with radial GRE were significantly higher than those of CAIPIRINHA (P < 0.016). Conclusion: In uncooperative patients, the use of the radial GRE sequence can improve the image quality compared to GRE imaging with CAIPIRINHA, despite the data acquisition methods used. The GRE imaging with CAIPIRINHA is applicable for patients without breath-holding difficulties.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3595-3604
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• 2015

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been one of the most fatal malignant tumors worldwide and its associated morbidity and mortality remain of significant concern. Based on in-depth reviews of serological diagnosis of HCC, in addition to AFP, there are other biomarkers: Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive AFP (AFP-L3), descarboxyprothrombin (DCP), tyrosine kinase with Ig and eprdermal growth factor (EGF) homology domains 2 (TIE2)-espressing monocytes (TEMs), glypican-3 (GPC3), Golgi protein 73 (GP73), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) have been proposed as biomarkers for the early detection of HCC. The diagnosis of HCC is primarily based on noninvasive standard imaging methods, such as ultrasound (US), dynamic multiphasic multidetector-row CT (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Some experts advocate gadolinium diethyl-enetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) MRI and contrast-enhanced US as the promising imaging madalities of choice. With regard to recent advancements in tissue markers, many cuting-edge technologies using genome-wide DNA microarrays, qRT-PCR, and proteomic and inmunostaining studies have been implemented in an attempt to identify markers for early diagnosis of HCC. Only less than half of HCC patients at initial diagnosis are at an early stage treatable with curative options: local ablation, surgical resection, or liver transplant. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is considered the standard of care with palliation for intermediate stage HCC. Recent innovative procedures using drug-eluting-beads and radioembolization using Yttrium-90 may exhibit beneficial effects in HCC treatment. During the past few years, several molecular targeted agents have been evaluated in clinical trials in advanced HCC. Sorafenib is currently the only approved systemic treatment for HCC. It has been approved for the therapy of asymptomatic HCC patients with well-preserved liver function who are not candidates for potentially curative treatments, such as surgical resection or liver transplantation. In the USA, Europe and particularly Japan, hepatitis C virus (HCV) related HCC accounts for most liver cancer, as compared with Asia-Pacific regions, where hepatitis B virus (HBV) may play a more important role in HCC development. HBV vaccination, while a vaccine is not yet available against HCV, has been recognized as a best primary prevention method for HBV-related HCC, although in patients already infected with HBV or HCV, secondary prevention with antiviral therapy is still a reasonable strategy. In addition to HBV and HCV, attention should be paid to other relevant HCC risk factors, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease due to obesity and diabetes, heavy alcohol consumption, and prolonged aflatoxin exposure. Interestingly, coffee and vitamin K2 have been proven to provide protective effects against HCC. Regarding tertiary prevention of HCC recurrence after surgical resection, addition of antiviral treatment has proven to be a rational strategy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.4469-4475
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• 2015

Transient receptor potential melastain 7 (TRPM7) is a bifunctional protein with dual structure of both ion channel and protein kinase, participating in a wide variety of diseases including cancer. Recent researches have reported the mechanism of TRPM7 in human cancers. However, the correlation between TRPM7 and prostate cancer (PCa) has not been well studied. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential the role of TRPM7 in the apoptosis of PC-3 cells, which is the key cell of advanced metastatic PCa. In this study, we demonstrated the influence and potential function of TRPM7 on the PC-3 cells apoptosis induced by TNF-related apoptosis inducing-ligand (TRAIL). The study also found a novel up-regulated expression of TRPM7 in PC-3 cells after treating with TRAIL. Suppression of TRPM7 by TRPM7 non-specific inhibitors ($Gd^{3+}$ or 2-aminoethoxy diphenylborate (2-APB) ) not only markedly eliminated TRPM7 expression level, but also increased the apoptosis of TRAIL-treated PC-3 cells, which may be regulated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway accompany with up-regulated expression of cleaved Caspase-3, (TRAIL-receptor 1, death receptors 4) DR4, and (TRAIL-receptor 2, death receptors 5) DR5. Taken together, our findings strongly suggested that TRPM7 was involved in the apoptosis of PC-3 cells induced by TRAIL, indicating that TRPM7 may be applied as a therapeutic target for PCa.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.651-662
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• 2006

Phthalate esters that are used as plasticizers and also found at low levels in foods such as dairy products are often mentioned as suspected endocrine disrupters. The purpose of the present study is to elucidate whether perinatal exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate(DBP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and di-2-ethylhexyl adipate (DEHA) affects several aspects of reproductive function in rats especially sexual differentiation of the brain. To this end, the dams were provided with pulverized soy-free diet containing 20, 200, 2,000 and 10,000 ppm of DBP, 40, 400, 4,000 and 20,000 ppm of DINP, or 480, 2,400 and 12,000 ppm of DEHA from gestational day (GD) 15 to postnatal day (PDN) 21, the day of weaning, and serum sex steroid hormone, gonadotropin levels and sexual behaviors after maturation were assessed. At Postnatal week (PNW) 20-21, serum levels of sex steroids and gonadotropins in both male and female rats, as well as estrous cyclicity in females, were not changed by perinatal exposure to DBP, DINP and DEHA, indicating that these chemicals did not affect sexual differentiation of the brain controlling the endocrine system of hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. On the other hand, inhibitory influences on sexual behaviors, especially on ejaculation in males and lordosis in females, were observed by perinatal exposure to these chemicals. These results suggest that these chemicals may act directly on discrete regions of the hypothalamus regulating sexual behaviors, but not regulating gonadotropin secretion, thereby affect sexual differentiation of the brain with a resultant decrease in sex-specific behaviors in adulthood.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.452-458
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• 2012

Rare earth elements fertilizer and Ca were sprayed on eight-year-old 'Fuji'/M.9 apple trees during two consecutive seasons, and fruit quality was quantified at harvest and 5-month long storing in a commercial cooling house at $4^{\circ}C$ and 80~85% RH. In the first season, single-sprayed of rare earth elements fertilizer showed appreciable accumulations of its elements (La, Pr, Gd, and Nd) in the fruit. In the following season, application of higher doses accumulated higher amount, indicating that the accumulation of rare earth elements was dose-dependent. However, rare earth elements did not affect the accumulations of Ca, Mg, and K in 'Fuji' apple fruit showed that there was no interaction between rare earth elements and these macronutrients. Double-spray of 0.2% rare earth elements increased fruit redness at harvest and had exhibited better color. Although at harvest it did not show significant effects on fruit weight, pulp firmness and titratable acidity (TA), but had pronounced effects on inhibiting fruit softness and retarded decrease of TA during storing. Furthermore, it reduced respiration rate and inhibited ethylene production during storing indicated that rare earth elements may be an alternative for prolonging the shelf life of 'Fuji'/M.9 apple fruit.