• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.349-355
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• 2022

In this study, we sought to identify a soil stabilizer that can be applied to paddy fields vulnerable to arsenic (As) pollution. To this end, we conducted a pot experiment in which we evaluated the effects of different stabilizers on the bioavailability of As in paddy soil. As candidate stabilizers, we assessed calcium superphosphate (CSP), sulfur, and steel slag, which were applied at the rates of 0.7 and 1.4, 0.1 and 0.2, and 7.0 and 14.0 Ma ha^-1, respectively. On day 67 after rice transplantation, we detected significantly lower concentrations of As in the solutions of paddy soil treated with 1.4 Ma ha^-1 CSP (96.9 ㎍ L^-1) and 0.2 Ma ha^-1 sulfur (207.2 ㎍ L^-1) compared with the As concentrations in control (314.5 ㎍ L^-1) and steel slag-treated (268.6-342.4 ㎍ L^-1) soil. Compared with the As concentrations in control brown rice (0.16 mg kg^-1), concentrations in brown rice were lowest in the pots treated with 1.4 Ma ha^-1 CSP (0.09 mg kg^-1). Furthermore, in response to CSP treatments, we detected increases in the weight of rice grains (50.0-50.4 g/pot) compared with the control (40.4 g/pot) and other treatments (26.9-48.1 g/pot), which we speculate could be attributed to the reduction in As toxicity to rice owing to a decline in soil solution As contents and the fertilization effect of the CSP treatment. Collectively, our findings indicate a high-level application of CSP (1.4 Ma ha^-1) to paddy soil has a comparatively beneficial effect in mitigating the bioavailability of As.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2023

This study was conducted to discover substances that regulate skin surface acidification using human epidermal keratinocyte cell lines, and to investigate their effects on the moisturizing ability and skin barrier function of the stratum corneum. Prunella vulgaris (P. vulgaris) is an herb widely distributed in Northwest Africa and North America that has been studied for its anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, research on the regulation of NHE1 expression and the restoration of skin barrier function has not been conducted. Analysis of P. vulgaris revealed the presence of rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid as active ingredients, which were tested for toxicity in human epidermal keratinocyte cell lines (HaCaT), and showed no toxic effects were observed at high concentarion (100 ㎍/mL or 100 µM). It is known that sodium-hydrogen ion exchange pumps (NHE1) decrease in expression in aging skin to maintain the acidic pH of the stratum corneum, and it is hypothesized that this decrease plays an important role in the impaired restoration of skin barrier function in aging skin. P. vulgaris extract and caffeic acid increased the expression of NHE1 in keratinocytes, increased the expression of natural moisturizing factor (NMF) precursor filaggrin and ceramide synthesis enzyme serine palmitoyl transferase (SPT). In addition, P. vulgaris and caffeic acid decreased the extracellular pH of keratinocytes, indicating a direct effect on skin pH regulation. Taken together, these results suggest that P. vulgaris and caffeic acid can regulate skin pH through NHE1 modulation, and may help to restore skin barrier function by increasing NMF and ceramide synthesis. These results show the possibility that honeysuckle and caffeic acid can have a positive effect on skin health, and can be the basis for the development of new skin protection products using them.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.383-391
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• 2008

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified it as a possible carcinogen and World Health Organization (WHO) has suggested 50 ng/mL as a guideline value for 1,4-dioxane. Considering the toxicity of 1,4-dioxane and ingestion rate of drinking water, the monitoring of 1,4-dioxane in drinking water in Nakdong river is very important. We analyzed 1,4-dioxane four times per year for the 12 samples of treated water and 4 samples of raw water in Nakdong river in Korea from 2000 to 2007 and surveyed the trend of concentrations of 1,4-dioxane. As a results of analysis, 1,4-dioxane was detected from 0.24 to 240.2 ng/mL in treated water and from 0.39 to 81.9 ng/mL in raw water from 2000 to 2007. The average concentrations are 22.68 ng/mL and 19.15 ng/mL in treated water and raw water, respectively. The detected concentrations was decreased but frequency of detection was not changed since establishment of regulation in 2004. Results of comparison of 95 percentile excessive cancer risk of 1,4-dioxane in treated and raw water were each $6.63{\times}10^{-6}$, $3.17{\times}10^{-6}$ before 2004 and $2.10{\times}10^{-6}$, $1.22{\times}10^{-6}$ after 2004. Also, comparing the detected concentration and frequency for each season, these were more detected the concentration and frequency for 1,4-dioxane in treated and raw water from winter to spring.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2013

Background/Aims: Gemcitabine is regarded as a reference regimen for advanced pancreatic cancer and shows relatively safe toxicity profiles compared with other cytotoxic agents. However, many oncologists are appeared to be still reluctant to treat elderly pancreatic cancer patients with cytotoxic chemotherapy because of predicted low response rate and potential adverse events. Methods: All patients who were received gemcitabine based chemotherapy between 2007 and 2010 were identified and clinical, laboratory, radiographic data were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups based on their ages: less than 65, and equal or more than 65 years old. Gemcitabine, at a dose of 1,000 mg per square meter of body surface area, was administered by intravenously over 30 minutes weekly for 3 weeks followed by 1 week rest, alone or along with other chemotherapeutic agents including cisplatin, capecitabine and erlotinib. Results: A total of 61 patients were identified and all patients were not eligible to receive operation because of advanced stage at diagnosis. Twenty three patients (37.7%) were equal or more than 65 year of age. Mean age was 56 years old and 71 years old in each group. Laboratory data including CA 19-9 were not significantly different. More gemcitabine monotherapy was delivered (56.5% vs. 26.3%, p=0.029) and less second or third line therapy was adminis- tered (17.4% vs. 50.0%, p=0.014) in elderly group. Cholangitis occurred and stent placement were performed similarly in both groups. Conclusion: Gemcitabine based chemotherapy can be administered safely to elderly pancreatic cancer patients and comparable response rate and progression free survival can be expected as young patients.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.430-439
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• 2023

UV and O₃ are materials used in the water treatment process, and many studies have been reported to remove organic matters, contaminants, and microorganisms. In this study, we were investigated effects of Chirnomidae (Chironomus flaviplumus, Chironomus riparius), which are contamination indicator species to exposure UV and O₃ for the survival rate, body color change and gene expression response. The survival rate of C. flaviplumus exposed to UV decreased to about 70% after 24 hours, and C. riparius about 50%. There was no change in the survival rate of C. flaviplumus exposed to O₃, and C. riparius decreased to 95% after 10 minutes of exposure, but there was no change during the subsequent exposure time. In addition, UV and O₃ exposure to the two species in body color faded in a time-dependent. In the HSP70 gene expression, C. riparius showed an increase in expression after UV exposure compared to the control group, and a significant difference was shown 12 hours after exposure (P<0.05). C. flaviplumus exposed to O₃ showed a relatively low expression compared to the control group, and showed a significant difference at 10 minutes and 1 hour after exposure (P<0.05). These results reported the ecotoxicological effects on Chironomidae according to UV and O₃ exposure. Therefore, the results of this study can be used as basic data to understand the effects of UV and O₃, which are disinfectants used in water treatment plants, on Chirnomidae entering plants.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.339-355
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• 2024

The pulmonary system is a highly complex system that can only be understood by integrating its functional and structural aspects. Hence, in vivo animal models are generally used for pathological studies of pulmonary diseases and the evaluation of inhalation toxicity. However, to reduce the number of animals used in experimentation and with the consideration of animal welfare, alternative methods have been extensively developed. Notably, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) have agreed to prohibit animal testing after 2030. Therefore, the latest advances in biotechnology are revolutionizing the approach to developing in vitro inhalation models. For example, lung organ-on-a-chip (OoC) and organoid models have been intensively studied alongside advancements in three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting and microfluidic systems. These modeling systems can more precisely imitate the complex biological environment compared to traditional in vivo animal experiments. This review paper addresses multiple aspects of the recent in vitro modeling systems of lung OoC and organoids. It includes discussions on the use of endothelial cells, epithelial cells, and fibroblasts composed of lung alveoli generated from pluripotent stem cells or cancer cells. Moreover, it covers lung air-liquid interface (ALI) systems, transwell membrane materials, and in silico models using artificial intelligence (AI) for the establishment and evaluation of in vitro pulmonary systems.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.118-127
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• 2024

This study investigated the levels of 345 pesticide residues in 50 herbal medicines sold in Incheon metropolitan city to determine their safety. Pesticide residues are harmful substances that can cause serious health problems owing to their toxicity and carcinogenicity. The analysis of pesticide residues in the samples was conducted using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method, known for its high analysis efficiency, to analyze a wide range of pesticides for which no standards have been set. The analysis was cross-validated with the pretreatment method outlined in the Korea Pharmacopoeia. Among the 50 samples encompassing 24 different herbs, 22 pesticide residues were detected in 24 samples, covering 7 distinct herbs, resulting in a detection rate of 48%. It is noteworthy that, except for two cases, all detected pesticides were those for which no standards were set. However, after conducting a risk evaluation considering the daily dosage of herb, it was determined that the levels of pesticide residues were within safe limits. Pesticides with high frequency within the same category of herbs were detected, indicating the necessity for continuous monitoring and regulation. In addition, comparative analysis using the pretreatment method outlined in the Korean Pharmacopoeia, yielded similar results, suggesting the possibility of analyzing pesticide residues in herbs using the QuEChERS method. The study emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring of pesticide residues in herbs and the development of high-efficiency reliability analysis methods should continue to ensure consumer safety.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.2
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• pp.254-264
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• 2022

The Korean Society of Radiology and Medical Guidelines Committee amended the existing 2016 guidelines to publish the "Korean Clinical Practice Guidelines for Adverse Reactions to Iodide Contrast for Injection and Gadolinium Contrast for MRI: The Revised Clinical Consensus and Recommendations (2022 Third Edition)." Expert members recommended and approved by the Korean Society of Radiology, the Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and the Korean Nephrology Society participated together. According to the expert consensus or systematic literature review, the description of the autoinjector and connection line for the infection control while using contrast medium, the acute adverse reaction, and renal toxicity to iodized contrast medium were modified and added. We would like to introduce the revised contents.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.335-341
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• 2024

Objectives: Patients with cancer eventually fail to respond to therapy when malignant cells develop effective ways to evade immunosurveillance. Conventional cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, aim to cure the disease or prolong the patient's life. However, the toxicity and side effects of conventional treatments limit their efficacy. Herbal medicine is a typical complementary and integrative form of medicine for cancer treatment in Asia. This protocol evaluates the effectiveness of herbal medicines in improving the immune function of patients with cancer. Methods: The following electronic databases will be searched: MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE via Elsevier, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Korean databases including Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS), National Digital Science Library (NDSL), and Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS). Additionally, prospective randomized controlled trials that evaluate the effectiveness of herbal medicines on immune function in patients with cancer will be included in this review. All outcomes related to the immune function of patients with cancer (e.g., CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 ratio, CD19 (B cells), dendritic cells (CD11), CD56 (NK cells), and macrophages) will be included in this review. Results: This review is expected to provide data on the effectiveness of herbal medicines on improving immune functions in patients with cancers. Conclusion: This systematic review will help patients and clinicians establish new management options for cancer treatment.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.389-395
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• 2024

This study was conducted to determine the cytotoxicity of the extracts from the human body contact area of the test substance during a test on the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), which is the medical device safety evaluation standard, using the extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) cartridge as a sample, using L-929 cells. The test and control substances were extracted with 1xMEM culture medium containing 10% FBS at 37±1℃ for 24±2 hours. The test substance extract (test group), negative control substance extract (negative control group), positive control substance extract (positive control group), and blank test solution extract (solvent control group) were applied to L929 cells and cultured for 48±2 hours in a 37±1℃, 5±1% CO2 incubator. As a result of observing cell reactions under a microscope, the cells to which the blank test solution extract and negative control substance extract were applied were grade 0, the cells to which the positive control substance extract was applied were grade 4, and the cells to which the test substance extract was applied were grade 0. As a result of quantitative evaluation through cell counting, the cell viability rate of the cells to which the negative control substance extract was applied was 106.28% compared to the blank test solution extract, the cells to which the positive control substance extract was applied were 0.00%, and the cells to which the test substance extract was applied were 99.58%. Therefore, when the results of the negative and positive control groups were confirmed, the test process was appropriate, and it was determined that it did not cause cytotoxicity because the qualitative evaluation method was less than grade 2 and the quantitative evaluation method showed a cell viability rate of more than 70%.