• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.221-229
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• 2018

Tenofovir nanoparticles are novel therapeutic intervention in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection reaching the virus in their sanctuary sites. However, there has been no systemic toxicity testing of this formulation despite global concerns on the safety of nano drugs. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the toxicity of Tenofovir nanoparticle (NTDF) on the liver and kidney using an animal model. Fifteen adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats maintained at the animal house of the biomedical resources unit of the University of KwaZulu-Natal were weighed and divided into three groups. Control animals (A) were administered with normal saline (NS). The therapeutic doses of Tenofovir (TDF) and nanoparticles of Tenofovir (NTDF) were administered to group B and C and observed for signs of stress for four weeks after which animals were weighed and sacrificed. Liver and kidney were removed and fixed in formal saline, processed and stained using H/E, PAS and MT stains for light microscopy. Serum was obtained for renal function test (RFT) and liver function test (LFT). Cellular measurements and capturing were done using ImageJ and Leica software 2.0. Data were analysed using graph pad 6, p values < 0.05 were significant. We observed no signs of behavioural toxicity and no mortality during this study, however, in the kidneys, we reported mild morphological perturbations widening of Bowman's space, and vacuolations in glomerulus and tubules of TDF and NTDF animals. Also, there was a significant elevation of glycogen deposition in NTDF and TDF animals when compared with control. In the liver, there were mild histological changes with widening of sinusoidal spaces, vacuolations in hepatocytes and elevation of glycogen deposition in TDF and NTDF administered animals. In addition to this, there were no significant differences in stereological measurements and cell count, LFT, RFT, weight changes and organo-somatic index between treatment groups and control. In conclusion, NTDF and TDF in therapeutic doses can lead to mild hepatic and renal histological damage. Further studies are needed to understand the precise genetic mechanism.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.383-417
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• 1994

By making use of the EAV(Electroacupuncture acc. Voll) combined meridian theory of oriental medicine with electronics which was contrived to recognize the physiological and pathological changes of human body, the following conclusions were made in comparison with EAV measurements and types of symptoms(anxiety & headache, fatigue, palpitation, dizzness, abdominal distension. nausea, gastric disturbance. constipation & diarrhea, fatty liver, cva), QSCC, and blood type test. 367 patients including 124 with nervous gastrointestinal problems were selected for this research. 1. From the point of variance of the tested patients 124 nervous gastrointestinal patients, Liver meridian and Spleen meridian showed hyperenergia and Large intestine meridian, Circulation meridian, Triple warmer meridian showed hypoergia 2. In each symptom as the nervous gastrointestinal symptom Liver meridian showed hyperenergia, Large intestine meridian, Circulation meridian and Triple warmer meridian showed hypoergia . 3. In an objective comparison with other symptoms, firstly among the headache & anxiety group left Gall Bladder, Triple warmer and Stomach meridian showed remarkable hypoergia, secondly among fatigue group showed hypoergia in Triple warmer meidian and hyperenergia of Stomach meridian. and thirdly among palpitation group showed hypoergia of Kidney meridian, and lastly among dizzness group showed hypoergia of Gall Bladder, Stomach, Circulation and Small intestine meridian. 4. All of gastric disturbance, nausea, abdominal distention, constipation and diarrhea group showed hyperenergia in Stomach meridian and Spleen meridian. gastric disturbance group showed remarkably hypoergia in Circulation. Small intestine, Lung and Large intestine meridian. Nausea group showed hypoergia in Gall bladder and Urinary bladder meridian. Abdominal distenton group showed hypoergia of Large intestine. Constipation and diarrhea group showed hypoergia of Kidney and left Circulation meridian. 5. Fatty liver group showed hyperenergia of Liver meridian of 83.3%, Gall Bladder, Stomach and Spleen meridian. Urinary bladder and Kidney meridian showed hypoergia 6. CVA group showed hyperenergia in Liver and Circulation meridian. 7. Blood type in typical classification had no significant bearings on each other. 8. QSCC for the attempt of objective materials of constitutional diagnosis had no correlativity in comparison with EAV measurements. In conclusion EAV is thought be used as a diagnostic method in oriental medicine and further research is needed regarding it can be used as a useful method for verifying the characteristics and early finding of symptoms.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.43-67
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• 1995

By making use of the EVA(Electroacupuncture acc. Voll) combined meridian theory of oriental medicine with electronics which was contrived to recognize the physiological and pathological changes of human body, the following conclusions were made in comparison with EAV measurements and types of symptoms(anxiety & headache, fatigue, palpitation, dizzness, abdominal distension, nausea, gastric distubance, constipation & diarrhea, fatty liver, CVA), QSCC, and blood type test. 367 patients including 124 with nervous gastrointestinal problems were selected for this research. 1. From the point of variance of the tested patients 124 nervous gastrointestinal patients, Liver meridian and Spleen meridian showed Hyperenergia and Large intestine meridian, Circulation meridian, Tripe warmer meridian showed hypoergia. 2. In each symptom as the nervous gastrointestinal symptom Liver Meridian showed hyperenergia, Large intestine meridian, Circulation meridian and Triple warmer meridian showed hypoergia. 3. In an objective Comparison with other symptoms, firstly among the headache & anxiety group left Gall Bladder, Triple warmer and Stomach meridian showed remarkable hypoergia, secondly among fatigue group showed hypoergia in Triple warmer meridian and hyperenergia of Stomach meridian, and thirdly among palpitation group showed hypoergia of Kidney meridian, and lastly among dizzness group showed hypoergia of Gall bladder, Stomach, Circulation and Small intestine meridian. 4. All of gastric distubance, nausea, abdominal distention, constipation and diarrhea group showed hyperenergia in Stomach meridian and spleen meridian, gastric disturbance group showed remarkably hypoergia in Circulation, Small intestine, Lung and Large intestine meridian, Nausea group showed hypoergia of large intestine, Constipation and diarrhea group showed hypoergia of Kidney and left Circulation meridian. 5. Fatty liver group showed hyperenergia of Liver meridian of 83.3%, Gall Bladder, stomach and Spleen meridian, Urinary bladder and Kidney meridian showed hypoergia. 6. CVA group showed hyperenergia in Liver and Corculation meridian. 7. Blood type in typical classification had on signigicant bearings on each other. 8. QSCC for the attempt of objective materials of constitutional diagnosis had no correlaticity in comparison with EAV measurements. In conclusion EAV is thought be used as a diagnostic method in oriental medicine and further research is needed regarding it can be used as useful method for verifying the characteristics and early finding of symptoms.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.184-187
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• 2008

S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) is an important metabolic intermediate in living organisms and participates in many reactions as a methyl group donor. SAM has been used as a dietary supplement and is proposed to have beneficial effects on the liver and brain. The aim of this study was to find lactic acid bacteria with high SAM-producing ability to be used as SAM enhancing probiotics. We used high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to quantify the amount of SAM produced, and found that Bifidobacterium bifidum BGN4 produced a significantly higher amount of SAM than other Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus strains. The effect of various carbon and nitrogen sources on SAM production was examined. This study confirmed that Bifidobacterium may be utilized as a source of SAM in the functional food industry.

• BMB Reports
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.138-143
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• 2003

Of many viral causes of human cancer, few are of greater global importance than the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Over 250 million people worldwide are persistently infected with HBV. A significant minority of these develop severe pathologic consequences, including chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Earlier epidemiological evidence suggested a link between chronic HBV infection and HCC. Further, the existence of related animal viruses that induce acute and chronic infections of the liver, and eventually HCC, confirms the concept that HBV belongs to one of the few human oncogenic viruses. Although it is clear that chronic HBV infections are major risk factors, relatively little is understood about how the viral factors contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. This review will introduce molecular aspects of the viral infection, and highlight recent findings on the viral contribution to hepatocarcinogenesis.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.311-324
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• 2018

Arsenic is one of the most toxic environmental toxicants. More than 150 million people worldwide are exposed to arsenic through ground water contamination. It is an exclusive human carcinogen. Although the hallmarks of arsenic toxicity are skin lesions and skin cancers, arsenic can also induce cancers in the lung, liver, kidney, urinary bladder, and other internal organs. Arsenic is a non-mutagenic compound but can induce significant cytogenetic damage as measured by chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges, and micronuclei formation in human systems. These genotoxic end points are extensively used to predict genotoxic potentials of different environmental chemicals, drugs, pesticides, and insecticides. These cytogenetic end points are also used for evaluating cancer risk. Here, by critically reviewing and analyzing the existing literature, we conclude that inorganic arsenic is a genotoxic carcinogen.

• Mycobiology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.215-220
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• 2014

Mushrooms are a recognized component of the human diet, with versatile medicinal properties. Some mushrooms are popular worldwide for their nutritional and therapeutic properties. However, some species are dangerous because they cause toxicity. There are many reports explaining the medicinal and/or toxic effects of these fungal species. Cases of serious human poisoning generally caused by the improper identification of toxic mushroom species are reported every year. Different substances responsible for the fatal signs and symptoms of mushroom toxicity have been identified from various poisonous mushrooms. Toxicity studies of mushroom species have demonstrated that mushroom poisoning can cause adverse effects such as liver failure, bradycardia, chest pain, seizures, gastroenteritis, intestinal fibrosis, renal failure, erythromelalgia, and rhabdomyolysis. Correct categorization and better understanding are essential for the safe and healthy consumption of mushrooms as functional foods as well as for their medicinal use.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.143-143
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• 2001

Human cytochrome P450 (CYP or P450) 3A4 (CYP3A4) is the most abundant among P450s in human liver. We previously reported that the expression of CYP3A4 in membranes prepared from E. coli coexpressed the bicistronic construct of CYP3A4 and NADPH-P450 reductase with cytochrome b$_{*}$ (b5) was showed 20-60% higher than that in membranes from E. coli expressed only the bicistronic construct with culturing longer times (48-72h).(omitted)

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.71-76
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• 2000

Effects of extrusion processing on zinc bioavailability in a product made from 85% semolina and 15% soy protein concentrate were determined using in vitro and in vivo techniques. Soluble and dialyzable zinc contents of the extruded product were 15.3 and 13.0 $\mu$g/g, respectively, compared to 15.6 to 15.0$\mu$g/g in the raw (unprocessed) ingredients. Zinc bioavailability in diets in which all of the zinc (14ppm) was provided either by the extruded product or by its raw ingredients was determined in two groups of male Sprague Dawley rats. No differences were found in concentrations of zinc in plasma, liver and femur between rats fed the two experimental diets. Apparent zinc digestibility was similar for both diets. These results are consistent with the in vitro results showing no effect of extrusion processing on zinc bioavailability.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.688-691
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• 2000

Ferritin, an iron-storage protein, is found in bacteria and some animal tissues such as liver, spleen, and bone marrow. It is more effective and causes less side reactions than the traditional ferrous sulfate, and thus has been used primarily to treat iron deficiency in pregnancy anaemia. Currently, the ferritin extracted from the bovine and equine spleens are sold as a commercial product. Its market is estimated as several hundreds of million US dollars. However, because of the recent warnings against the viral diseases of animal origins such as mad cow disease, a safer ferritin is sought after. Our research team has successfully developed a production process for recombinant human ferritin. Its expression titer from yeast is high enough to be economically viable, and its particle formation characteristics are as effective as well.