• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10413-10420
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• 2015

Side effects are an unavoidable consequence of chemotherapy drugs, during which liver injury often takes place. The current study was designed to investigate the protective effect of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) against the hepatotoxicity induced by frequently-used chemical therapy agents, cyclophosphamide (CTX), docetaxel (DTX) and epirubicin (EPI)) in mice. Mice were divided into five groups, controls, low or high dose groups ($DTX_L$, $CTX_L$, $EPI_L$ or $DTX_H$, $CTX_H$, $EPI_H$), and low or high dose chemotherapeutics+APS groups ($DTX_L$+APS, $CTX_L$+APS, $EPI_L$+APS or $DTX_H$+APS, $CTX_H$+APS, $EPI_H$+APS). Controls were treated with equivalent normal saline for 28 days every other day; low or high dose group were intraperitoneal (i.p) injected with low or high doses of CTX, DTX and EPI for 28 days every other day; low or high dose chemotherapeutics+APS group were separately intraperitoneal (i.p) injected with chemotherapeutics for 28 days every other day and i.p with APS (100 mg/kg) for 7 days continually from the 22th to the 28th days. The body weight, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), histopathological features, and ultrastructure morphological change of liver tissues, protein expression level of caspase-3 were estimated at different time points. With high dose treatment of DTX, CTX and EPI, weight gain was inhibited and serum levels of ALT and AST were significantly increased. Sections of liver tissue showed massive hepatotoxicity in $CTX_H$ group compared to the control group, including hepatic lobule disorder, granular and vacuolar degeneration and necrosis in hepatic cells. These changes were confirmed at ultrastructural level, including obvious pyknosis, heterochromatin aggregation, nuclear membrane resolution, and chondrosome crystal decrease. Western blotting revealed that the protein levels of caspase-3 increased in $CTX_H$ group. The low dose groups exhibited trivial hepatotoxicity. More interestingly, after 100 mg/kg APS, liver injury was redecued not only regarding serum transaminase activities (low or high dose chemotherapeutics+APS group), but also from pathological and ultrastructural changes and the protein levels of caspase-3 ($CTX_H$+APS group). In conclusion, DTX, CTX and EPI induce liver damage in a dose dependent manner, whereas APS exerted protective effects.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 1988

This study was measured the radiation-induced current - X-ray dose, dose rate, X-ray quality, time, temperature, electric field characteristics and the dependence of gap length in insulating oil under of D.C. Voltage before, during and after X-ray irradiation. The obtained results can be summarized as following. 1. The radiation - induced current is more the dependence of X-ray quality (tube voltage) than quantity (tube current), the dependence of quantity is appeared at the high than low X-.ay tube voltage. 2. The dependence of dose rate is appeared at the more dose rate, and ${\triangle}\;=\;0.64{\sim}0.74$. 3. The higher temperature of insulating oil and X-ray tube voltage (X-ray quality) is increased, at the low electric field, the more radiation-induced current. 4. $G_{eq}-G_{o}(={\triangle}G)$ is increased at the low than high temperature, high than low X-ray quality. 5. The dependence of temperature is appeared before than during X-ray irradiation. 6. The RIC saturation region is appeared at the high than low insulating oil temperature during (1000 V/cm above) than before (4000 V/cm above) X-ray irradiation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.247-253
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• 2000

In order to investigate the stimulatory effect(hormesis) of low dose gamma-radiation on the seeding growth of old seeds with respect to antioxidant defense systems, various doses of gamma radiation to the 5-year-old dried seeds of Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. cv Sulin eockaei). Compared to the new, 1-year- old seeds, old seeds irradiated by low does gamma radiation in the range of 1-2 Gy showed vigor growth as revealed by statistically significant increases both in the germination rates and the leaf size and fresh weight. Further, seedlings grown from seeds treated by low dose gamma radiation showed higher peroxidase and catalase activities than non-treated seedlings. These results suggest that the antioxidant defense systems could be closely related to the stimulatory effects of low dose radiation. [antioxidant enzyme, chinese cabbage, gamma radiation, germination rate, hormesis]

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.165-173
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• 2000

Objectives : To assess the availability of the glycophorin A (GPA) assay to detect the biological effect of ionizing radiation in workers exposed to low-doses of radiation. Methods : Information on confounding factors, such as age and cigarette smoking was obtained on 144 nuclear power plant workers and 32 hospital workers, by a self-administered questionnaire. Information on physical exposure levels was obtained from the registries of radiation exposure monitoring and control at each facility. The GPA mutant assay was performed using the BR6 method with modification by using a FACScan flow cytometer. Results : As confounders, age and cigarette smoking habits showed increasing trends with GPA variants, but these were of no statistical significance. Hospital workers showed a higher frequency of the GPA variant than nuclear power plant workers in terms of the NO variant. Significant dose-response relationships were obtained from in simple and multiple linear regression models. The slope of the regression equation for nuclear power plant workers was much smaller than that of hospital workers. These findings suggest that there may be apparent dose-rate effects. Conclusion : In population exposed to chronic low-dose radiation, the GPA assay has a potential to be used as an effective biologic marker for assessing the bone marrow cumulative exposure dose.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.277-281
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• 2001

Chromium is an essential nutrient and participates in glucose and lipid metabolism in human beings and animals. The present study was conducted to assess the effects of chromium picolinate (Cr-pic) on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in type I and ll diabetic rats. The experimental groups were type I diabetic (streptozotocin-induced: 40 mg/kg, i.p.) and type II diabetic (Goto-Kakizaki rats) models. Each group was subdivided into control. low-dose and high-dose of Cr-pic treated groups. The Cr-pic was orally administered with Cr-pic (100 mg/kg for low dose group and 200 mg/kg for high dose group) for 4 weeks. And then we performed intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) and insulin sensitivity test (ITT). The glucose tolerance test was carried out by inection of glucose (2 g/kg, i.p.). The peripheral insulin sensitivity test was con- ducted by injection of insulin (5 units/kg, s.c.) and glucose. We performed determining of blood glucose concentration at 0, 10, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min using automated glucose analyzer. The plasma insulin concentration was determined by rat insulin EIA kit. Administration of Cr-pic improved weight gain in all group s with higher significant in the low-dose group. There was no significance between the control and the Cr-pic treated groups in the area under the blood glucose curve and serum insulin concentration plots of IPGTT and peripheral ITT in type I diabetic rats. But Cr-pic treated groups showed significantly lower levels of the area under the blood glucose currie during IPGTT and ITT and the high-dose group showed less effects compared with the low-dose group in the type II diabetic rats. The plasma insulin concentration of both diabetic groups was not influenced by Cr-pic supplementation. We can conclude that chromium picolinate may improve the endogenous and exogenous insulin action and peripheral insulin sensitivity in type II diabetic rats.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1773-1777
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• 2016

Diagnostic and therapeutic radiation fields are planned so as to reduce side-effects while maximising the dose to site but effects on healthy tissues are inevitable. Radiation causes strand breaks in DNA of exposed cells which can lead to chromosomal aberrations and cause malfunction and cell death. Several researchers have highlighted the damaging effects of high dose radiation but still there is a lacuna in identifying damage due to low dose radiation used for diagnostic purposes. Blood is an easy resource to study genotoxicity and to estimate the effects of radiation. The micronucleus assay and chromosomal aberration can indicate genetic damage and our present aim was to establish these with lymphocytes in an in vitro model to predict the immediate effects low dose radiation. Blood was collected from healthy individuals and divided into 6 groups with increasing radiation dose i.e., 0Gy, 0.10Gy, 0.25Gy, 0.50Gy, 1Gy and 2Gy. The samples were irradiated in duplicates using a LINAC in the radiation oncology department. Standard protocols were applied for chromosomal aberration and micronucleus assays. Metaphases were stained in Giemsa and 200 were scored per sample for the detection of dicentric or acentric forms. For micronuclei detection, 200 metaphases. Giemsa stained binucleate cells per sample were analysed for any abnormality. The micronuclei (MN) frequency was increased in cells exposed to the entire range of doses (0.1-2Gy) delivered. Controls showed minimal MN formation ($2.0%{\pm}0.05$) with triple MN ($5.6%{\pm}2.0$) frequency at the lowest dose. MN formation increased exponentially with the radiation dose thereafter with a maximum at 2Gy. Significantly elevated numbers of dicentric chromosomes were also observed, even at doses of 0.1-0.5Gy, compared to controls, and acentric chromosomes were apparent at 2Gy. In conclusion we can state that lymphocytes can be effectively used to study direct effect of low dose radiation.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.9-14
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study has attempted to evaluate and compare the image evaluation and exposure dose by respectively applying Filtered Back Projection(FBP), the existing test method, and Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction(ASIR) with different values of tube voltage during the Low Dose Computed Tomography(LDCT). Materials and Methods: With the image reconstruction method as basis, Chest Phantom was utilized with the FBP and ASIR set at 10%, 20% respectively, and the change of Tube Voltage (100kVp, 120kVp). For image evaluation, Back ground noise, Signal to Noise ratio(SNR) and Contrast to Noise ratio(CNR) were measured, and, for dose evaluation, CTDIvol and DLP were measured respectively. The statistical analysis was tested with SPSS(ver. 22.0), followed by ANOVA Test conducted after normality test and homogeneity test. (p<0.05). Results: In terms of image evaluation, there was no outstanding difference in Ascending Aorta(AA) SNR and Infraspinatus Muscle(IM) SNR with the different values of ASIR application(p<0.05), but a significant difference with the different amount of tube voltage(p>0.05). Also, there wasn't noticeable change in CNR with ASIR and different amount of Tube Voltage (p<0.05). However, in terms of dose evaluation, CTDIvol and DLP showed contrasting results(p<0.05). In terms of CTDIvol, the measured values with the same tube voltage of 120kVp were 2.6mGy with No-ASIR and 2.17mGy with 20%-ASIR respectively, decreased by 0.43mGy, and the values with 100kVp were 1.61mGy with No-ASIR and 1.34mGy with 20%-ASIR, decreased by 0.27mGy. In terms of DLP, the measured values with 120kVp were $103.21mGy{\cdot}cm$ with No-ASIR and $85.94mGy{\cdot}cm$ with 20%-ASIR, decreased by $17.27mGy{\cdot}cm$(about 16.7%), and the values with 100kVp were $63.84mGy{\cdot}cm$ with No-ASIR and $53.25mGy{\cdot}cm$ with 20%-ASIR, a decrease by $10.62mGy{\cdot}cm$(about 16.7%). Conclusion: At lower tube voltage, the rate of dose significantly decreased, but the negative effects on image evaluation was shown due to the increase of noise. For the future, through the result of the experiment, it is considered that the method above would be recommended for follow-up patients or those who get health checkup as long as there is no interference on the process of diagnosis due to the characteristics of Low Dose examination.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate optimal CT scan parameters to minimize patient dose to the irradiation and maintain satisfactory image quality in low-dose chest computed tomography (CT) scans. In a chest anthropomorphic phantom, chest CT scans were performed at different kVp and mA within reference of 3.4mGy in volume CT Dose Index (CTDI_vol). The following quantitative parameters had been statistically evaluated: image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and figure of merit (FOM). Nine radiographers conducted the blind test to select the optimal kVp-mA combination. Results indicated that the kVp-mA combination of 80kVp-90mA, 100kVp-50mA, 120kVp-30mA and 140kVp-30mA were obtained high SNR and CNR. The 120kVp-30mA combination offered good compromise in the FOM, which showed the quality and dose performance. In the blind test, an image of 80kVp-90mA obtained a high score with 4.7 points, and 120kVp-10mA or 140kVp-10mA with a low tube current were observed severe noise and poor image quality, thus resulting in decreased diagnostic accuracy. On the other hand, in the combination of high kVp and high mA(140kVp-90mA), the image quality was improved, but the radiation dose was also increased. the FOM value of 140kVp-90mA was lower than 120kVp-30mA. The application of appropriate scan parameters in low-dose chest CT scans produced satisfactory results in dose and image quality for the accuracy of the clinical diagnosis.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.26-31
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• 2019

Background: Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) plans in prostate cancer are compared and analyzed to investigate the low magnetic effect (0.35 T) on the dose distribution, with various dosimetric parameters according to low magnetic field. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients who received a 36.25 Gy in five fractions using the MR-IGRT system (ViewRay) were studied. For planning target volume (PTV), the point mean dose ($D_{mean}$), maximum dose ($D_{max}$), minimum dose ($D_{min}$) and volumes receiving 100% ($V_{100%}$), 95% ($V_{95%}$), and 90% ($V_{90%}$) of the total dose. For organs-at-risk (OARs), the differences compared using $D_{max}$, $V_{50%}$, $V_{80%}$, $V_{90%}$, and $V_{100%}$ of the rectum; $D_{max}$, $V_{50%}$, $V_{30Gy}$, $V_{100%}$ of the bladder; and $V_{30Gy}$ of both left and right femoral heads. For both the outer and inner shells near the skin, $D_{mean}$, $D_{min}$, and $D_{max}$ were compared. Results and Discussion: In PTV analysis, the maximum difference in volumes ($V_{100%}$, $V_{95%}$, and $V_{90%}$) according to low magnetic field was $0.54{\pm}0.63%$ in $V_{100%}$. For OAR, there was no significant difference of dose distribution on account of the low magnetic field. In results of the shells, although there were no noticeable differences in dose distribution, the average difference of dose distribution for the outer shell was $1.28{\pm}1.08Gy$ for $D_{max}$. Conclusion: In the PTV and OARs for prostate cancer, there are no statistically-significant differences between the plan calculated with and without a magnetic field. However, we confirm that the dose distribution significantly increases near the body shell when a magnetic field is applied.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.1-14
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• 2003

Objective : The aim of the study was to investigate the preventive effect of Acanthopanax senticosus(AS) aqua-acupuncture into Sinsu(BL23) of the multiple low-does strepozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods : The experimental animals were divided into 4 groups : normal group of rats, control group of multiple low-does STZ-induced diabetic rats, NSAA group with 0.4ml normal saline(NS) aqua-acupunctured subcutaneously into Sinsu in multiple low-does STZ-induced diabetic rats, and ASAA group with 0.4ml of 20% AS aqua-acupunctured subcutaneously into Sinsu in multiple low-does STZ-induced diabetic rats. Each of AS and NS aqua-acupuncture was done subcutaneously into both loci of Sinsu taking turns everyday for 3 weeks. Thereafter the levels of serum glucose, body weight, index of kidney hypertrophy, urine glucose, urinary albumin excretion, creatinine clearance, mesangial cell and TGF-${\beta}1$ expression in glomeruli and tubular cells were measured on the determined day. Conclusions : 1. Both ASAA and NSAA groups decreased the serum glucose levels in multiple low-dose STZ-induced diabetic rats as compared to the cintrol group, and ASAA group showed more significant decreases than NSAA group. 2. Both ASAA and NSAA groups prevented the development of diabetes in multiple low-dose STZ-induced diabetic rats as compared to the control group, and ASAA group prevented more markedly the development of diabetes than NSAA group. 3. Both ASAA and NSAA groups prevented the reduction of body weight in multiple low-dose STZ-induced diabetic rats as compared to the control group, and ASAA group showed the same as the normal group. 4. Both ASAA and NSAA groups did not show any changes of the creatinine clearance in multiple low-does STZ-induced diabetic rats. 5. Both ASAA and NSAA groups prevented the excretion of urinary glucose and albumin in multiple low-dose STZ-induced diabetic rats as compared to the cintrol group, and ASAA group showed more significant prevention than NSAA group. 6. Both ASAA and NSAA groups prevented the expansion of glomerular cells and the protein expression of transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ in multiple low-dose STZ-induced diabetic rats as compared to the cintrol group, and ASAA group prevented more significantly than NSAA group.