• Toxicological Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.225-232
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• 2004

The suitability of the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay as a test for the monitoring of genotoxicity of aquatic environment was evaluated. The SCGE assay was employed to detect DNA damage induced in clam (Spisula sachalinensis) exposed to a direct mutagen, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) or an indirect mutagen, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). The cells of gill and digestive glands were isolated from clam by homogenization, which was the optimized cell dissociation method, and the level of DNA damage was assessed and expressed as mean tail length. In the gill cells, significant dose- and time-dependent increase was observed in the mean tail length at the concentration from 0.01 to 0.5 ppm MNNG for 96 h. The linear correlation between relative dam-age index (RDI) values was suggested to provide criteria of genotoxicity monitoring for direct acting mutagen. The dose- and time-dependent responses of the digestive glands cells were less sensitive than those of the gill cells. In contrast, the genotoxic response resulting from the exposure of 0.01～1.0 ppm B[a]P to clam revealed a higher sensitivity in the digestive glands cells than the gill cells. The comparison between the time profiles of genotoxic responses in clam and carp, the latter had been obtained in our previous study, indicated that the metabolism of genotoxic compounds in the two aquatic organisms were quite different each other. We conclude that the SCGE assay has the potential as a screening test for routine genotoxicity monitoring of aquatic organisms because of its higher sensitivity and simplicity.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.9 no.1 s.41
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• pp.17-24
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• 2005

Response of reinforced concrete (RC) column-bent piers subjected to bidirectional seismic loadings was experimentally investigated. RC column-bent piers represent one of the most popular shapes of piers used in Korea highway bridges. Four column-bent piers were constructed in 400 mm diameter and 2,000 mm height. Each pier has two circular supporting columns. These piers were tested under bidirectional lateral load reversals with an axial load of $0.1f_{ck}A_g$. The test parameters included : different transverse reinforcement contents and lap-spliced longitudinal reinforcing steels. Test results indicate that the lap splice of longitudinal reinforcing steels have significantly influenced on hysteretic response of column-bent piers similar to previous test results for single columns with corresponding test parameters. Column capacity was changed with the level of transverse confinement. From the comparison of test result for single column under unidirectional loading, the damage of single column was concentrated on lower plastic hinge region but the damage of column-bent piers was scattered to upper and lower plastic hinge region.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.5-19
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• 2024

During the blasting process, a fracture zone is formed in the vicinity of the blast hole. Any damage that extends beyond the excavation boundary line necessitates the implementation of an additional support system to assure safety. Typically, fracture zone radius is estimated from blast hole pressure using theoretical methods due to its simplicity. However, linear charge concentration (kg/m) is used for tunnel blasting. This paper compiles Swedish experimental datasets to estimate the radius of fracture zones based on linear charge concentration. Further numerical analyses are performed in LS-DYNA for coupled single-hole blasting. The Riedel-Hiermaier-Thoma (RHT) model has been selected as the constitutive model for this investigation. The numerical model is validated against small-scale laboratory tests. Parametric studies are conducted to predict fracture zones in granite and sandstone rocks using two kinds of explosives, PETN and AFNO. The analyses evaluate ten types of blast hole sizes, ranging from 17 to 100 mm. The results indicate that granite has a larger fracture zone than sandstone, and the PETN explosive predicts more damage than ANFO. Smaller blast holes exhibit smaller fracture zones in comparison to larger blast holes. Wave propagation is more rapidly attenuated in granite than in sandstone. Subsequently, the predicted fracture zone outcomes are compared with the empirical dataset. Fracture zones of medium blast hole diameter align well with the experimental data set. A predictive equation is derived from the data set, which may be used to evaluate blast design to manage fracture zones beyond the excavation line.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.499-508
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• 2010

This study proposed a life cycle impact assessment index that can indicate the environment-related information of the product in monetary value such that the national geographical, environmental, and social features are fully reflected based on a damage-oriented model. First, the estimation process was classified into characterization, damage assessment, and integration stages considering the six biggest impact categories: resource depletion, global warming, ozone depletion, acidification, eutrophication, and photochemical oxidant creation. Moreover, this study came up with the 16 category endpoints related to the 6 impact categories, and the damage function, to the 4 largest safeguard subjects. The integration indices of finally identified impact categories were KRW 21.8/kg Sb, KRW 6.19/kg$CO_2$, KRW 53,000/kg CFC-11, KRW 13,100/kg $SO_2$, KRW 2,310/kg ${PO_4}^{3-}$, and KRW 3,030/kg $C_2H_4$. Using the results of this research, environmental impacts based on the environmental load generated throughout the entire life cycle of a product can serve as a single index in monetary value; thus enhancing understanding and utilization of the results of life cycle impact assessments.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.89-100
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• 2004

The comet assay (also called the single-cell gel electrophoresis assay) has been widely used for detecting DNA damage and repair in individual cells. Since the conventional methods of evaluating comet assay data using frequency statistics are unsatisfactory we developed a new quantitative measure of DNA damage/repair that is based on all information residing in the dose/time-response curves of a comet experiment. Blood samples were taken from 25 breast cancer patients before undergoing radiotherapy. The comet assay was performed under alkaline conditions using isolated lymphocytes. Tail DNA, tail length, tail moment and tail inertia of the comet were measured for each patient at four doses of $\gamma$-rays (0, 2, 4 and 8 Gy) and at four time points after irradiation (0, 10, 20 and 30 min) using 100 cells each. The resulting three-dimensional dose-time response surface was modeled by multiple regression, and the second derivative, termed 2D, on dose and time was determined. A software module was programmed in SAS/AF to compute 2D values. We applied the new method successfully to data obtained from cancer patients to be assessed for their radiation sensitivity. We computed the 2D values for the four damage measures, i.e., tail moment, tail length, tail DNA and tail inertia, and examined the pairwise correlation coefficients of 2D both on the log scale and the unlogged scale. 2D values based on tail moment and tail DNA showed a high correlation and, therefore, these two damage measures can be used interchangeably as far as DNA repair is concerned. 2D values based on tail inertia have a correlation profile different from the other 2D values which may reflect different facets of DNA damage/repair. Using the dose-time response surface, other statistical models, e.g., the proportional hazards model, become applicable for data analysis. The 2D approach can be applied to all DNA repair measures, Le., tail moment, tail length, tail DNA and tail inertia, and appears to be superior to conventional evaluation methods as it integrates all data of the dose/time-response curves of a comet assay.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.68-73
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• 2011

The single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay is a microelectrophoretic technique for assessments of DNA damage at the level of the individual eukaryotic cell. The SCGE assay, due to its simplicity, sensitivity and need of a few cells, has advantages compared to other genomic damage assays such as sister chromatid exchange, chromosomal aberration and micronucleus test. In this study, investigated were the levels of DNA damage and the repair kinetics in the coelomocytes of Eisenia fetida treated with HgCl2 and ionizing radiation by means of the SCGE assay. For detecting DNA damage and repair in coelomocytes, earthworms (E. fetida) were irradiated with six doses of ${\gamma}$-rays (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Gy) and in vivo exposed to mercuric chloride at 0, 80 and 160 mg $kg^{-1}$ for 48 hours. Then the Olive tail moments were measured during 0~12 hours after irradiation and 0~72 hours after Hg treatment. The results showed that the more the oxidative stress was induced by mercury and radiation, the longer the repair time was required. Also, the results suggest that the SCGE assay may be used as an important tool for comparison of the sensitivity of different species to oxidative stresses.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.53-59
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• 2008

We observed DNA damages as a function of mean absorbed dose to identify the indirect effect of high-energy radiation such as x-ray. Monolayer films of lyophilized pGEM-3Zf(-) plasmid DNA deposited on tantalum foils were exposed to Al $K{\alpha}$ X-ray (1.5 keV) for 0, 3, 7 and 10 min, respectively, in a condition of ultrahigh vacuum state. We compared DNA damages by X-ray irradiation with those by 3 eV electron irradiation. X-ray photons produced low-energy electrons (mainly below 20 eV) from the tantalum foils and DNA damage was induced chiefly by these electrons. For electron beam irradiation, DNA damage was directly caused by 3 eV electrons. Irradiated DNA was analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis and quantified by ImagaQuant program. The quantities of remained supercoiled DNA after irradiation were linearly decreased as a function of mean absorbed dose. On the other hand, the yields of nicked circular (single strand break, SSB) and interduplex crosslinked form 1 DNA were linearly increased as a function of mean absorbed dose. From this study, it was confirmed that DNA damage was also induced by low energy electrons ($0{\sim}10\;eV$) even below threshold energies for the ionization of DNA.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2003

The present study was attempted to investigate and compare the antioxidant potency of several well-know flavonoids, antioxidant vitamin and commercially available popular beverages. The antioxidant potency was assessed by the effect on reducing oxidative DNA damage of human lymphocytes. Cellular oxidative DNA damage was measured by SCGE (single-cell gel electrophoresis), also known as comet assay. Lymphocytes were pre-treated for 30 minutes with wide ranges of doses of apigenin, kaempferol, luteolin, myricetin, rutin, quercetin, $\alpha$-tocopherol (10,25,50,100,200,500,1000 $\mu$M) ,green tea extract or grape juice (10,50,100,250,500,1000 $\mu$g/mL) followed by a $H_2O$$_2$(100 $\mu$M) treatment for 5 min as an oxidative stimulus. The physiological function of each antioxidant substance on oxidative DNA damage was analyzed as tail moment (tail length $\times$ percentage migrated DNA in tail) and expressed as relative DNA damage score after adjusting by the level of control treatment. Cells treated with $H_2O$$_2$alone (positive control) had an extensive DNA damage compared with cells treated with phosphate buffered saline (PBS, negative control) or pre-treated with all the tested samples. Of all the six flavonoids, quercetin was the most potent antioxidant showing the lowest $ED_{50}$/ of 8.5 $\mu$g/mL (concentration to produce 50% protection of relative DNA damage). The antoxidant potency of individual flavonoids were ranked as follows in a decreasing order; luteolin (18.4 $\mu$g/mL), myricetin (19.0 $\mu$g/mL) , rutin (22.2 $\mu$g/mL) , apigenin (24,3 $\mu$g/mL) , kaempferol (25.5 $\mu$g/mL). The protective effect of $\alpha$-tocopherol was substantially lower (highest $ED_{50}$value of 55.0 $\mu$g/mL) than all the other flavonoids, while the protective effect was highest in green tea and grape juice with low ED5O value of 7.6 and 5.3, respectively. These results suggest that flavonoids, especially quercetin, and natural compounds from food product, green tea and grape juice, produced powerful anti-oxidative activities, even stronger than $\alpha$-tocopherol. Taken together, supplementation of antioxidants to lymphocytes followed by oxidative stimulus inhibited damage to cellular DNA, supporting a protective effect against oxidative damage induced by reactive oxygen species.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.84-94
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• 2013

In case when the existing TRIAC phase controlled dimmer is drove for the LED lighting equipments, there are many problems such as the LED flicker in low phase-angles, the acoustic noise and elements damage by increase of the peak voltage in the input filter capacitor, mulfunction by insufficiency of the TRIAC holding current, and the abnormal oscillation by LC resonant. In this paper, we proposes the single-stage quasi-resonant PSR(Primary Side Regulation) PWM converter, and the design, the simulation and experiment are performed. As a result, it could confirm that the proposed PWM converter is the lighting equipments for LED drive which can alternate the existing 60W class incandescent bulbs and it has the high drive performance of the efficiency 80% and over, the power factor 0.95 and over under the normal voltage 220V. Finally, total harmonic distortion(THD) is gratified with a standard[1] of the lighting equipments and the durability is evaluated as the high reliablilty of 150,000 hours and over.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.8
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• pp.393-399
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• 2020

Recent advancements in the resolution and throughput of single-cell analyses, including single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), have achieved significant progress in biomedical research in the last decade. These techniques have been used to understand cellular heterogeneity by identifying many rare and novel cell types and characterizing subpopulations of cells that make up organs and tissues. Analysis across various datasets can elucidate temporal patterning in gene expression and developmental cues and is also employed to examine the response of cells to acute injury, damage, or disruption. Specifically, scRNA-seq and spatially resolved transcriptomics have been used to describe the identity of novel or rare cell subpopulations and transcriptional variations that are related to normal and pathological conditions in mammalian models and human tissues. These applications have critically contributed to advance basic cardiovascular research in the past decade by identifying novel cell types implicated in development and disease. In this review, we describe current scRNA-seq technologies and how current scRNA-seq and spatial transcriptomic (ST) techniques have advanced our understanding of cardiovascular development and disease.