• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.12-25
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• 2016

Recently, research investment in the improvement of food safety as a food source and specializing of nutritional source of edible insects is being actively conducted. Cricket especially has been attracting considerable interest in entomophagy; however, research on the safety assessment of cricket is limited. This study investigated the effects of cricket ethanol extract when orally administrated in Sprague-Dawley rats. Here, we performed a 4 wk repeated oral dose toxicity test in Sprague-Dawley rats following the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development test guidelines 407 under Good Laboratory Practice regulation. Rats were randomly allocated 4 groups: vehicle control, 250, 500, 1,000 mg/kg test groups and administrated based on body weight for 28 d. The animals were observed for mortalities and clinical signs, body weight changes, food and water consumption. At the end of treatment period, blood and urine were collected and analyzed. Subsequently, the animals were sacrificed and subjected to gross pathological examination and organ weight measurement. The organs were preserved for histopathological examination. The results showed that there were no systemic toxicological effects related with the cricket ethanol extract in the 4 wk oral repeated dose toxicity study. It is considered that NOAEL of cricket ethanol extract is greater than 1,000 mg/kg/d and there was no target organ detected.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.113-123
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• 2011

Objectives: Industrial development in Korea results in a rapid increase in the number of chemicals, some of which may be responsible for toxicity to aquatic ecosystems. In addition, the types of hazardous chemicals included in industrial effluents have gradually increased. Therefore, chemical analysis alone is not enough to assess ecological effects of toxic chemicals in wastewater. Methods: In response to new regulations as whole effluent toxicity (WET) tests for effluent discharge of 15 publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) and 25 industrial effluent treatment plants in Gyeonggi-do, which will be effective from 2011, a necessity of studies emerges that investigates toxicity levels. Results: In case of the public treatment plants, none of them had exceeded the criteria for ecotoxicity. As for individual wastewater discharge facilities, on the other hand, two types were found to exceed the criteria: pulp and paper manufacturing facilities and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. For the pulp and paper manufacturing facilities, monitoring results could not help determine the exact toxicant identification. However, Daphnia magna inhibition effect or death was found to leave white plums, suggesting that suspended solids treated and the polymer used in coagulant dose. In case of pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, the general water quality parameters cannot affect Daphia magna. However, conductivity and salinity can have an effect to be 14,000 ${\mu}s/cm$, 8.1‰ by salts, respectively. Toxicity Identification Evaluation (TIE) and Toxicity Reduction Evaluation (TRE) procedures results appeared to be effective for identifying toxic compounds in $Cl^{-}$ and $SO_4^{2-}$. Conclusions: It is necessary to develop control measures for water treatment chemicals and salts used for processes such as coagulation in individual wastewater discharge facilities in order to achieve the goal to protect aquatic ecosystems in public waters.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.105-113
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• 2014

Objectives: It is necessary to apply quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) for the various chemicals with insufficient toxicity data that are used in the workplace, based on the precautionary principle. This study aims to find application plan of QSAR software tool for predicting health hazards such as genetic toxicity, and carcinogenicity for some chemicals used in the electronics industries. Methods: Toxicity prediction of 21 chemicals such as 5-aminotetrazole, ethyl lactate, digallium trioxide, etc. used in electronics industries was assessed by Toxicity Prediction by Komputer Assisted Technology (TOPKAT). In order to identify the suitability and reliability of carcinogenicity prediction, 25 chemicals such as 4-aminobiphenyl, ethylene oxide, etc. which are classified as Group 1 carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) were selected. Results: Among 21 chemicals, we obtained prediction results for 5 carcinogens, 8 non-carcinogens and 8 unpredictability chemicals. On the other hand, the carcinogenic potential of 5 carcinogens was found to be low by relevant research testing data and Oncologic TM tool. Seven of the 25 carcinogens (IARC Group 1) were wrongly predicted as non-carcinogens (false negative rate: 36.8%). We confirmed that the prediction error could be improved by combining genetic toxicity information such as mutagenicity. Conclusions: Some compounds, including inorganic chemicals and polymers, were still limited for applying toxicity prediction program. Carcinogenicity prediction may be further improved by conducting cross-validation of various toxicity prediction programs, or application of the theoretical molecular descriptors.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.281-292
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to assess the single and 5 week oral dose toxicity of calcitriol and alendronate combination (1 : 10,000) treatment for osteoporosis or Paget's disease in male and female rats. In single dose oral toxicity study, the values of $LD_{50}$ of calcitriol and alendronate mixture were 750.075 mg/kg in male rats and 775.0775 mg/kg in female rats, respectively. Body weight and food consumption were continuously increased after adminstration of calcitriol and alendronate mixtures, and there was no significant changes in body weight and food consumption in all groups. In five-week oral toxicity study of calcitriol and alendronate mixture at a dose of 0.2 $\mu\textrm{g}$ + 2 mg, 1 $\mu\textrm{g}$ + 10 mg, 5 $\mu\textrm{g}$ + 50 mg and 25 $\mu\textrm{g}$ + 250 mg, respectively, there was no mortality, abnormal behavior and appearance in all groups throughout the administration period (5 weeks) and recovery period (2 weeks). Dose-dependent changes in parameters of urinalysis and hematological analysis were not observed in male and female rats treated with calcitriol and alendronate mixtures. All the values of the parameters appeared to be in the normal range. These data indicate that both calcitriol and alendronate are drugs having low toxicity in rats. NOAEL of calcitriol and alendronate mixtures were 50.005 mg/kg in 5-week oral toxicity.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.12-35
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• 2011

Objectives: The two criteria to clarify the toxicity of a herbal diet are well known. Although mechanical analysis of effective ingredients, a western approach, is widely used, the toxicity presence classification through the herbal analysis from a viewpoint of a theory of the herbal medicine properties has been disregarded. This study is for the safe use of a herbal diet through classification and study of toxicity presence in the herbal diet from the view of a theory of herbal medicine properties, one of the methods of Oriental Medicine. Methods: We classified and studied the toxicity presence in four kinds of herbal diets, waters and grains, animals groups, fruits and vegetables, and herbs and trees, excluding mineral natural drugs, of 1,400 kinds of medicines in 16 chapters of Tang-aec-pyeon, Dong-ui-bo-gam, for which the herbal analysis from a viewpoint of the theory of the herbal medicine properties has been used. The criteria of the toxicity presence in the herbal diet have been largely classified into the toxicant and the non-toxicant, and the toxicant is in turn classified into the insignificant, the medium and the significant. The category to clarify herbal diet has been limited to simultaneous utilization of food and natural drugs. The main text is Dong-ui-bo-gam, although diverse other references have also been used. Results: There are toxicant diets: a kind of tortoise meat of animals groups; five kinds of grains part in fruits and vegetables: aengdo, peach, oyat, small apple and gingko nut; and 12 kinds of vegetables part in fruits and vegetables: ginger, oriental cabbage, lettuce, chongbaek, onion, garlic, leek, fern, houttuynia cordata (myeol), pyeongji, geundae, and spinach, which should be prohibited from long-term use both as food and medicine. Conclusion: If herbal diet is used as health food supplements or food, the toxicity presence should be considered on the grounds of an Oriental Medicine theory of the herbal medicine properties.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.129-140
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• 2012

Smoke toxicity is the test for the toxicity evaluation of smoke and hazardous gas, caused by combustion of building materials and finishing materials. Smoke toxicity can be evaluated by the mean incapacitation time of mice. This test result can be influenced by the health status of mice and test condition. In acute inhalation toxicity test of hazardous gas, no typical clinical findings and histopathologic abnormalities were observed. Tracheitis and bronchitis as well as acute lung inflammation around terminal bronchiole in some mouse of the highest dose group. Through this study, we established the method for inhalation toxicity test of hazardous gas as well as the SOP of inhalation toxicity test. However, in the future studies, the concentration control methods for inhalation technologies on hazardous gas will be needed to improve continuously and also further studies on other gas inhalation toxicity will be needed to conduct.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.13-13
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• 2003

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a ubiquitous environmental toxicant that can be exposed to humans by ingestion of contaminated food including fish and bread. MeHg has been suggested to exert its toxicity through its high reactivity to thiols, generation of arachidonic acid and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and elevation of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ levels (［$Ca^{2+}$］$_{i}$). However, the precise mechanism has not been fully defined. Here we show that phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) is a critical pathway for MeHg-induced toxicity. MeHg activated the acidic form of sphingomyelinase (A-SMase) and group IV cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$ ($cPLA_2$) downstream of PC-PLC, but these enzymes as well as protein kinase C were not linked to MeHg's toxicity. Furthermore, MeHg produced ROS, which did not cause the toxicity. However, D6O9, an inhibitor of PC-PLC, significantly reversed the toxicity in a time- and dose-dependent manner in MDCK and SH-5YSY cells. Addition of EGTA to culture media resulted in partial decrease of [$Ca^{2+}$］$_{i}$ and partially blocked cell death. In contrast, D609 completely prevented cell death with parallel decreases in diacylglycerol and ［$Ca^{2+}$］$_{i}$. Together, our findings indicated that MeHg-induced toxicity was caused by elevation of ［$Ca^{2+}$]$_{i}$ through activation of PC-PLC. The toxicity was not attributable to the signaling pathways such as $cPLA_2$, A-SMase, and PKC, or to the generation of ROS.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.273-278
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was aimed to examine the acute toxicity assessment of two new algicides, thiazolidinediones derivatives (TD53 and TD49), which were synthesized to selectively control red tide, to the marine ecosystem. Methods : The assessment employed by a new method using Ulva pertusa Kjellman which has been recently accepted as a standard method of ISO. The toxicity was assessed by calculating the $EC_{50}$ (Effective Concentration of 50%), NOEC (No Observed Effect Concentration) and PNEC (Predicted No Effect Concentration) using acute toxicity data obtained from exposure experiments. $EC_{50}$ value of TD49 and TD53 was examined by 96-hrs exposure together with Solutol as a TD49 dispersing agent and DMSO as a TD53 solvent. Results : $EC_{50}$ value of TD53 was $1.65\;{\mu}M$. From the results, values of NOEC and PNEC were calculated to be $0.63\;{\mu}M$ and 1.65 nM, respectively. DMSO under the range of $0{\sim}10\;{\mu}M$, which is same solvent concentration used in examining TD53, showed no toxic effect. $EC_{50}$ value of TD49 was $0.18\;{\mu}M$ and that of Solutol was $1.70\;{\mu}M$. NOEC and PNEC of TD49 were $0.08\;{\mu}M$ and 0.18 nM, respectively and those for Solutol were $1.25\;{\mu}M$ and 1.25 nM, respectively. Conclusions : From the values of NOEC, PNEC of TD53 and TD49, TD49 showed 9 times stronger toxicity than TD53. On the other hand, DMSO showed no toxicity on the Ulva pertusa Kjellman, but Solutol was found to be a considerable toxicity by itself.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.59-69
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• 2002

Recently, recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu-EPO) has been used to treat various types of anemia. YHB216 is a new rHu-EPO developed by Yuhan Research Institute. In this study, we investigated the single dose and 4-week repeated dose toxicity of YHB216 in Beagle dogs. In the single dose toxicity study, YHB216 was administered intravenously at single dose levels of 0 and 25,000 IU/kg to dogs (2 dogs/sex/group). There were no treament-related changes in survivals, clinical signs, body weight gain, hematological values, blood chemical values, and necropsy finding during experimental period. In the repeated dose toxicity study, YHB216 was administered intravenously to dogs for 4 weeks at the dose levels of 0, 100, 500, and 2,500IU／kg (3 dogs/sex／group). There were no toxicologically significant changes in clinical signs, body weights, food and water consumptions, ophthalmoscopy, urinalysis and blood chemistry. There were increased values of red blood cell, hemoglobin, and hematocrit at all treated groups. Spleen revealed increased weight and extramedullary hematopoiesis at 500 IU/kg or more. These changes are all considered to be Pharmacology-related effects and were recovered after 4-week recovery period. From these results, it is concluded that LD50 value was above 25,000 IU/kg in the single dose toxicity study of YHB216 in dogs and the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was 100 IU/kg day in the repeated dose toxicity study of YHB216 in dogs.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.48-54
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• 2008

Forest fires occur the world over, with large-scale fires constantly breaking out. A suppressant a type of forest fire chemical is widely used to respond to fires rapidly and effectively. In general, suppressants used for fires have been divided into dry powder, liquid, foam, and gel type, according to physical form and use. This study has conducted toxicity tests relating to phytotoxicity(Pinus densiflora seed germination rate and mortality of containerized seedling), and soil organism toxicity(earthworm acute toxicity tests), of these suppressants, with the loaded stream suppressant for direct forest fire extinguishing a Loaded Stream and foam concentrates generally being used in Korea. From the results of the tests, the loaded stream and the foam concentrate had an effect on the toxicity levels. In the case of the loaded stream type, it was observed that toxicity indicating a 100% lethality rate was found among all toxicity test methods. Therefore, it is determined that forest ecology environmental toxicity impact assessments related to the suppressant used to extinguish forest fires are necessary in the near future.