• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.531-537
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• 2008

Abnormal activation of nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) probably plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD). In this report, we evaluated the efficacy of curcumin, a potent $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor, in mdx mice, a mouse model of DMD. We found that it improved sarcolemmic integrity and enhanced muscle strength after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. Histological analysis revealed that the structural defects of myofibrils were reduced, and biochemical analysis showed that creatine kinase (CK) activity was decreased. We also found that levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-\alpha$), interleukin-1 beta ($IL-1\beta$) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the mdx mice were decreased by curcumin administration. EMSA analysis showed that $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity was also inhibited. We thus conclude that curcumin is effective in the therapy of muscular dystrophy in mdx mice, and that the mechanism may involve inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity. Since curcumin is a non-toxic compound derived from plants, we propose that it may be useful for DMD therapy.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.113-117
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• 2009

A method was developed using enhanced liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for the analysis and quantitation of 2 main potato glycoalkaloids, $\alpha$-chaconine, and $\alpha$-solanine, without any pre-concentration or derivatisation steps. Calibration curves generated by this technique exhibited a linear dynamic range from 0.025 to $50{\mu}g/mL$ and from 0.05 to $50{\mu}g/mL$ for $\alpha$-chaconine and $\alpha$-solanine, respectively. Matrix effects were evaluated by comparing calibration curves measured in matrix-matched and solvent-based systems. Ion suppression due to matrix effects was weak and extraction recoveries of 88 to 114% were obtained in different sample matrices spiked with analyte concentrations ranging from 15 to $35{\mu}g/mL$. Potatoes that had been genetically modified to tolerate glufosinate contained the same glycoalkaloid levels as their non-transgenic counterpart. We suggest complementing compositional comparison assessment strategy by validating quantitative analytical methods for the toxic glycoalkaloids in potato plants.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.61-73
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• 2003

Most of the accidents occurred from the chemical plants are related to the catastrophic gas release events when the large amount of toxic materials is leaked from its storage tank or transmitting pipe lines. In this case, the greatest concerns are how the spreading behaviors of leakages are depended on the ambient conditions such as air stability and other environmental factors. Hence, we have focused on the risk assessments and consequential analysis for chlorine as an illustrative example. As appeared in the result, Fire & Explosion Index depicted it a bit dangerous with presenting the comprehensive degrees of hazard 90.7. And as a result of Phast6.0/ALOHA, the trends of each scenario appeared considerably identical although there are some differences in the resulting effects according to the input data for the Gas Model. The consequence analysis is performed numerically based on the dense gas mode. In the future, using more correct input data, material properties, and topographical configuration, the method of this research will be useful for the guideline of the risk assessment when the release of toxicants breaks out.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.213-217
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• 2012

The amount of spent fuel from nuclear power plants has been increasing. An effective management plan of the spent fuel becomes a critical issue, because the storage capacity of each plant will reach its storage limit in a few years. The volume of high toxic spent fuel can be reduced through a fuel processing. Advanced Fuel Cycle (AFC) system is considered to be one of the options to reduce the toxicity and volume of the spent fuel. It is necessary to set up a test facility to demonstrate the feasibility of the process at the engineering scale. The objective of the work is a development of the safety evaluation technology for the AFC system. The evaluation technology of the AFC structural integrity and processes were surveyed and reviewed. Key evaluation parameters for the main processes such as electrolytic reduction, electrorefining, and electrowinning were obtained. The survey results may be used for the establishment of the AFC regulatory licensing procedure. The establishment of the licensing criteria minimizes the trials and errors of the AFC facility design. Issues taken from the survey on the regulatory procedure and design safety features for the AFC facility provide a chance to resolve potential issues in advance.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 1992

This experiment was carried out to determine the effects of nitrogen(N) fertilization levels(0. 120, 240 and 360 kg/ha/y) on seasonal nitrate nitrogen($NO_3$-N) concentration and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content of grasses grown under shading condition. The plants were sampled on 7. 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after harvesting in spring(May), summer(July) and autumn(September), 1988. respectively. Shading degree was controlled artificially ca. 45-50%, and each annual level of N was distributed 5 times equally. The $NO_3$-N concentration of grasses was very low(0.064 %) in spring, high in summer(O.l98 %) and autumn(0.234%), and NO,-N was slightly decreased with growing of grasses. Also the NO,-N concentration of grasses was increased significantly with increasing level of N. In spring, the $NO_3$-N of grasses was very safety(less than 0.1 %), regardless of plant height and N level. In summer and autumn, however, plant heights of below 40 cm(summer) and 44 cm(autumn), and N levels of over 210 kg(summer) and 140 kg(autumn) were over toxic level to animals, respectively. The WSC content of grasses was slightly decreased with grass growth. and significantly decreased with high level of N. From the above results, it is suggested that 200 kg/ha of N in this experiment is effective for forage quality. Also a little more amount of N(50-70kgltimes) in spring. and low level of N(20-30 kgltimes) in summer and autumn season may be desirable on woodland posture.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.201-208
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• 2011

Objective: Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from municipal wastewater treatment plants and industrial wastewater are often overlooked as sources of exposure to toxic chemicals. VOCs from such sources evaporate readily into the air and may have significantly adverse impacts on public health. The present study aimed to establish the concentration of VOCs released from Jangrim-sinpyoeng Municipal and Industrial Wastewater Treatment plant (JWTP) in Busan, South Korea and assess the causes of the odor/stench in the surrounding residential facilities. Stench intensity, frequency and release time, and wind direction were also monitored. Methods: Onsite data were collected on a daily basis from a laboratory located on the JWTP premises through a period spanning 2006 to 2010. A second set of data was obtained in 2006 by conducting a questionnaire survey with 210 respondents living near JWTP. The experimental and survey data were analysed statistically using the SPSS package. Results: The survey results showed that people residing around JWTP strongly perceive a stench from the plant. The intensity of the stench was influenced significantly by wind direction and the location of the apartments facing the JWTP. Public participation formed a significant step in determining the quality of the study environment. Conclusion: Onsite data and survey data obtained in 2006 indicate that the nature of the odor experienced by residents is due to the intensity of total VOCs released by JWTP. However, additional research is needed to determine the effects of the VOC pollution on public health and quality of life.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.78-100
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• 2009

This study is to protect peoples' life, minimize the property damage by coping with threats quickly and take more preventive measures in advance against nuclear bomb, CBR, and potential explosive. For this, CBRNE(Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive) program research was used. Thanks to advance in technology, terrorist groups and even individuals make or keep nuclear and CBR weapons. And also it's likely that disaster and threats from a toxic gas, acute pathogens, accidents in the nuclear power plants and a high explosive could be happened a lot. Recently more organized terrorist groups maintain random attacks for unspecified individuals and also it's highly likely that a large-scale terrorist attack by WMD and CBRNEwill be done. To take strict measures against CBRNE attacks by terrorists is on the rise as an urgent national task. Moreover biological weapons are relatively easy and inexpensive to obtain or produce and cause mass casualties with a small amount. For this reason, more than 25 countries have already possessed them. In the 21 st century, the international safety environment marks the age of complicated threats : transnational threats such as comprehensive security and terror, organized crime, drug smuggling, illegal trade of weapons of mass destruction, and environmental disruption along with traditional security threats. These cause military threats, terror threats, and CBRNE threats in our daily life to grow. Therefore it needs to come up with measures in such areas as research development, policy, training program. Major industrial nations on CBRNE like USA, Canada, Switzerland, and Israel have implemented various educational programs. These researches could be utilized as basic materials for drawing up plans for civil defense, emergency services and worldwide countermeasures against CBRNE.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.105-114
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• 2013

Lots of orders of special vessels and offshore plants for developing the resources in deepwater have been increased in recent. Because the most of accidents on those structures are caused by fire and explosion, many researchers have been investigated quantitatively to predict the cause and effect of fire and explosion based on both experiments and numerical simulations. The first step of the evaluation procedures leading to fire and explosion is to predict the dispersion of flammable or toxic material, in which the released material mixes with surrounding air and be diluted. In particular turbulent mixing, but density differences due to molecular weight or temperature as well as diffusion will contribute to the mixing. In the present paper, the numerical simulation of hydrogen dispersion inside a simple-shaped offshore structure was performed using a commercial CFD program, ANSYS-CFX. The simulated results for concentration of released hydrogen are compared to those of experiment and other simulation in Jordan et al.(2007). As a result, it is seen that the present simulation results are closer to the experiments than other simulation ones. Also it seems that the hydrogen dispersion is closely related to turbulent mixing and the selection of the turbulence model properly is significantly of importance to the reproduction of dispersion phenomena.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.122-124
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• 2010

$Basagran^{(R)}$ is a herbicide that is widely used in the field and it acts by interfering with photosynthesis in plants. It consists of bentazone, 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) and surfactants. Bentazone is commonly used, but poisoning due to Bentazone has not been previously reported in Korea. The patients with toxic effects of bentazone show mild to severe symptoms and various complications. We report here on a case of a woman who intentionally ingested 500 ml of $Basagran^{(R)}$ and she was discharged without complication. As soon as the patient visited the emergency department, we started to treat her as if she had organophosphate intoxication because of the cholinergic symptoms. We could not detect the bentazone in her serum and urine, and we could confirm $Basagran^{(R)}$ ingestion only after getting information from her husband. Bentazone poisoning may induce harmful complications like muscle rigidity, rhabdomyolysis, respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. A detailed history taking, an accurate analysis method and early conservative management will be helpful for patients with acute bentazone poisoning.

• Plant Resources
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.26-30
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• 1999

Nitrate in edible vegetables is converted to nitrite by nitrate reductase(NR) and/or bacteria in intestines. Nitrite and amino, in the intestine of some animals and human, bind to form nitrosamine, which is toxic and known as carcinogen. This study was carried out to examine the effect of added chlorides and their concentrations on growth, yield and nitrate content in leaf lettuce plants in hydroponics. Seeds of lettuce cv, "Samsunjokchukmyon" were planted on April 29, and seedlings were planted on June 2, and were cultured until July 5 in 1998. KCI and CaCl₂ were used as chloride source and their concentrations were 1, 2 and 4 me/L, respectively, in the lettuce standard nutrient solution for National Horticultural Research Institute(NHRI). Completely randomized design with 3 replications was used. Nitrate content and NR activity were measured 2 and 5 weeks after planting(WAP). The obtained results were summarized as the follows : Leaf weight per plant was difference from harvest dates and treatments, but total leaf weight was not significantly different among treatments. Number of leaves was higher in KCI 2 me/L, CaCl₂1 me/L and control at 2 WAP than the others, and was higher in KCI 1 me/L, and control at 3 WAP than others, and was higher in control at 5 WAP. Total number of harvested leaves was the highest in control with 14, which followed by KCI 2 me/L and CaCl₂1 me/L. Nitrate content was decreased by addition of chloride in nutrient solution. Nitrate content in the 3rd and 9th leaves was significantly decreased. NR activity was higher in control and CaCl₂ addition treatments, while KCI addition treatments reduced NR activity. However, no direct relationship with nitrate was observed. Growth characteristics such leaf length and leaf width were not significantly influenced by chloride addition.