• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.23-30
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• 2011

Risk based pollution level of Pb and Cd in metal contaminated soils depending on physicochemical properties of soil in a target site was assessed using biotic ligand model. Heavy metal activity in soil solution defined as exposure activity (EA) was assumed to be toxic to Vibrio fischeri and soil organisms. Predicted effective activity (PEA) determined by biotic ligand model was compared to EA value to calculate risk quotient. Field contaminated soils (n = 10) were collected from a formes area and their risk based pollution levels were assessed in the present study using the calculated risk quotient. Concentrations of Pb determined by aqua regia were 295, 258, and 268 mg/kg in B, H and J points and concentrations of Cd were 4.73 and 6.36 mg/kg in G and I points, respectively. These points exceeded the current soil conservation standards. However, risk based pollution levels of the ten points were not able to be calculated because concentrations of Pb and Cd in soil solution were smaller than detection limits or one (i.e., non toxic). It was because heavy metal activity in soil solution was dominant toxicological form to organisms, not a total heavy metal concentration in soil. In addition, heavy metal toxicity was decreased by competition effect of major cations and formation of complex with dissolved organic carbon in soil solution. Therefore, it is essential to consider site-specific factors affecting bioavailability and toxicity for estimating reliable risk of Pb and Cd.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.245-251
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• 2017

Multiwalled carbon-nanotubes (MWCNT) and micro-structured carbon, such as biochar or activated carbon (AC), have been seen to significantly increase the growth indices of certain plant species such as maize (Zea mays L.). Seed imbibition is the stage where environmental factors that affect water transport across the seed coat barrier, make a large impact. This work explores the effect on water imbibition by maize seeds when the aqueous environment surrounding the seed is diluted by small concentrations (10 and 20 mg/l) of pristine MWCNT (p-MWCNT), carboxylate functionalized MWCNT (COO-MWCNT) and AC. The degree of sensitivity of the process to (i) large structural changes is seen by utilizing the nano (the MWCNT) and the micro (the AC) allotropic forms of carbon; (ii) to small changes in the purity and morphology of the p-MWCNT by utilizing 95% pure and 99% pure p-MWCNTs of slightly differing morphologies; and (iii) to MWCNT functionalization by using highly pure (97%) COO-MWCNT. Water imbibition was monitored over a 15 hour period by Near Infrared Thermography (NIRT) and also by seed weighing. Seed surface topography was seen by SEM imaging. Analysis of the NIRT images suggests rapid seed surface topological changes with the quantity of water imbibed. While further work is necessary to arrive at a conclusive answer, this work shows that the imbibition phase of the maize seed is sensitive to the presence of MWCNT even to small differences in the purity of the p-MWCNT and to small differences in the physicochemical properties of the medium caused by the hydrophilic COO-MWCNT.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10281-10287
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• 2015

Background: Development of a nanosized polymeric delivery system for erlotinib was the main objective of this research. Materials and Methods: Poly caprolactone-polyethylene glycol-polycaprolactone (PCEC) copolymers with different compositions were synthesized via ring opening polymerization. Formation of triblock copolymers was confirmed by HNMR as well as FT-IR. Erlotinib loaded nanoparticles were prepared by means of synthesized copolymers with solvent displacement method. Results: Physicochemical properties of obtained polymeric nanoparticles were dependent on composition of used copolymers. Size of particles was decreased with decreasing the PCL/PEG molar ratio in used copolymers. Encapsulation efficiency of prepared formulations was declined by decreasing their particle size. Drug release behavior from the prepared nanoparticles exhibited a sustained pattern without a burst release. From the release profiles, it can be found that erlotinib release rate from polymeric nanoparticles is decreased by increase of CL/PEG molar ratio of prepared block copolymers. Based on MTT assay results, cell growth inhibition of erlotinib has a dose and time dependent pattern. After 72 hours of exposure, the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of erlotinib hydrochloride was appeared to be $14.8{\mu}M$. Conclusions: From the obtained results, it can be concluded that the prepared PCEC nanoparticles in this study might have the potential to be considered as delivery system for erlotinib.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.495-501
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• 2018

Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure is a risk factor for skin damage resulting in oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physicochemical properties of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) to improve its biological activities using a three-step steaming process. We investigated the protective effects of PG and steamed PG extracts on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) against UVB radiation-induced oxidative stress and inflammation as well as the underlying mechanisms. The antioxidant potential of the PG extracts was evaluated by measuring the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) scavenging activity. ABTS and DPPH were shown by the 0, 30, and 70% ethanol extracts of 2S-PG and 3S-PG ($IC_{50}$, 28~45 and $27{\sim}30{\mu}g/mL$, respectively). Treatment of UVB-irradiated cells with steamed PG ($25{\sim}400{\mu}g/mL$) did not affect their viability. The streamed PG extract suppressed UVB-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, streamed PG extract reduced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression in UVB-irradiated HDF, regulating nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ expression. These findings suggest that steamed PG extract may be potentially effective against inflammation associated with UVB-induced oxidation stress.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.366-371
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• 2011

Viscosity is critically important for bulgogi sauce. However, exposure to irradiation may decrease the rheological properties of bulgogi sauce. This study was conducted to compare the effects of gamma irradiation (0-9 kGy) on viscosity, molecular weight, pH, reducing end level, and water solubility of xanthan gum, guar gum, and locust bean gum as thickening agents/stabilizers in bulgogi sauce. The physicochemical properties of all samples changed (p<0.05) from 3965 to 0 cP (viscosity), from 6048 to 28 kDa (molecular weight), from 5.79 to 4.62 (pH), from 0.13 mg/mL to 1.72 mg/mL (reducing end level), and from 6% to 87% (water solubility) following gamma irradiation. Viscosity after irradiation was most stable (p<0.05) in xanthan gum (from 1249 to 92 cP) compared with guar gum (from 3965 to 0 cP) and locust bean gum (from 1631 to 0 cP). The sensory properties (texture and taste) of bulgogi sauce prepared with xanthan gum (1%, w/w) were highly maintained (about 7.0-5.0) after high-dose irradiation of up to 40 kGy. These results indicate that xanthan gum can be effectively used as a thickening agent/stabilizer in bulgogi sauce, which had low viscosity after irradiation.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.214-220
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• 2005

Initial Risk assessments using physicochemical properties and acute toxicity are conducted to provide information for managers to decide the potential adverse effects and played as a tool for decision-making in development of new substances. In this study, we built initial risk assessment framework and carried out human and ecology initial risk assessment for three different pesticides of captan, glyphosate, and paraquat dichloride to confirm our framework. Two water estimation models of GENEEC (GENeric Estimated Environmental Concentration) and FOCUS (FOrum for the Co-ordination of pesticide models and their USe) were employed for pesticides exposure assessment. Application for paraquat dichloride and glyphosate uses shows very low human and ecology risk. On the other hand, high acute ecological risk was observed from the application for captan. These results showed good agreements with the U.S. EPA RED (Reregistration Eligibility Decision) reports verifying the framework of this study.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2013

Quantum dots (QDs) have received considerable attention due to their potential role in photosensitization during photodynamic therapy. Although QDS are attractive nanomaterials due to their novel and unique physicochemical properties, concerns about their toxicity remain. We suggest a combination strategy, CdSe/ZnS QDs together with curcumin, a natural yellow pigment from turmeric, to reduce QD-induced cytotoxicity. The aim of this study was to explore a potentially effective cancer treatment: co-exposure of HL-60 cells and human normal lymphocytes to CdSe/ZnS QDs and curcumin. Cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and DNA damage induced by QDs and/or curcumin with or without ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation were evaluated in both HL-60 cells and normal lymphocytes. In HL-60 cells, cell death, apoptosis, ROS generation, and single/double DNA strand breaks induced by QDs were enhanced by treatment with curcumin and UVA irradiation. The protective effects of curcumin on cell viability, apoptosis, and ROS generation were observed in normal lymphocytes, but not leukemia cells. These results demonstrated that treatment with QD combined with curcumin increased cell death in HL-60 cells, which was mediated by ROS generation. However, curcumin acted as an antioxidant in cultured human normal lymphocytes.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.21 no.5_3
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• pp.695-702
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• 1998

This study was carried out to investigate to determine seasonal variation of dehydrogenase activity, phosphatase activity, adenosine tri-phosphate content and some physicochemical properties, such as soil pH, moisture content, organic matter and several heavy metal concentrations from Apr. 1997 to jan. 1998 in Pinus densiflora and Quercus mongolica forest in Mt. Nam, to explain a relationship between enzyme activity and the soil factors. There were ranges of 4.03-4.65 in soil pH, 18.65-51.09% in moisture content and 6.69-95.95% in orgainc matter. The organic matter content decreased with soil horizon, showing the higher values in Q. mongolica forest. In comparison to the results of Kawngneung site as control area, there were slightly differences due to a development level of forest ecosystem and microbial degradation of organic matter. The heavy metal concentrations showed 32.50-75.55 ${\mu}g/g$ in Cu, 69.33-134.84 ${\mu}g/g$ in Zn, 57.02-150.32 ${\mu}g/g$ in Pb, and 0.36-1.00 ${\mu}g/g$ in Mt. Nam. These values are higher than in Kwangneung site because of long-term exposure to air pollutants from central city. On the other hand, ATP contents in Mt. Nam were lower than in Kawngneung site in relation to soil organic matter, moisture content and relatively high heavy metal concentrations. ATP contents per soil weight was largest in F+H layer and in spring time of other seasons. Dehydrogenase activity as an index of soil microbial activity had a ranges of 170.67-1,221.66 ${\mu}g$ TPF/g that showed lower values than in Kawngneung site. However, phophatase activity had a contray tendency due to P fertilization for a continuous management. Those values increased through spring to a maximum in the summer and fall in autumn. This is basically caused by metabolic state of soil on the biological activity and several and several factors, such as aeration, soil temperature, vegetation and microflora.

• CELLMED
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.18.1-18.8
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• 2021

Jawarishe Jalinoos (JJ) is an orally used formulation available in semisolid dosage form, prepared with powdered plant materials mixed in honey or sugar syrup. It has many admirable pharmacological effects and used in Unani medicine to treat various acute and chronic disorders since ancient times. The ICH Harmonised Tripartite Guideline stated that photostability testing should be an essential part of stability testing to confirm that light exposure does not result in an unacceptable change in drugs substance and finished products. To date, the effect of light on JJ is not studied, in this study photostability evaluation of JJ was carried out. The test sample was manufactured with genuine ingredients in the in-door pharmacy of the National Institute of Unani Medicine. JJ was packed in two transparent polyethylene terephthalate airtight containers. The first sample was analysed at zero-day and the second sample was placed in a stability chamber subjected to light challenge with an overall illumination of 1.2 million lux hours combined with near ultraviolet energy of 200-watt hours per square meter by using option 2, along with 30±2℃ temperature and relative humidity 70±5%. Analysis of both finished products showed no considerable changes in organoleptic characters. Less than 5% variation was observed in physicochemical parameters. HPTLC fingerprinting showed justifiable variation. Microbial load and specific counts were within the limit prescribed by WHO. As no unacceptable changes were noted in JJ subjecting to light challenge, it is concluded that JJ is a photostable Unani compound formulation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.351-357
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• 2000

This study was carried out to find out characteristics and contamination status of the urban-forest soils. Both topsoil (0-20 cm) and subsoil (40-60 cm) samples were collected from Namsan, Changdeok-palace, Seongjusan and Odaesan (control). The samples were analyzed for physicochemical properties, heavy metal (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) and anion $(NO_3\;^-,\;SO_4\;^{2-})$ contents. Soil pH of Odaesan was the highest followed by Namsan, Changdeok-palace and Seongjusan. The anion concentrations of the soil samples were in the order of Namsan, Seongjusan > Changdeok-palace > Odaesan. The relationships between soil pH and the anion concentrations showed highly significant negative correlation, which indicated acidification of soil due to air pollutants such as $NO_3\;^-$ and $SO_4\;^{2-}$ was going on. The heavy metal contents of the soils of urban-forest were higher than those of control. Heavy metal contents in the topsoil were higher than those in the subsoil. Since urban-forest soils were quite vulnerable to acidification and heavy metal accumulation due to chronic exposure to air pollutants such as automobile exhaust, a comprehensive countermeasure not to deteriorate urban-forest ecology must be prepared in the near future.