• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2003

Fluoranthene, a common polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), exhibits phototoxicity which may affect aquatic organisms. The eventual goal of this study is to develop a biomarker of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) used in monitoring hazardous chemicals in the ecosystem. In this study we investigated neural toxicity of fluoranthene in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) along with comparative analysis of corresponding behavioral response. The untreated individuals shooed normal behavioral characteristics (i. e., smooth and linear movements). The treated fish, however, showed stopping and abrupt change of orientation (100 ppb), and severely reduced locomotive activity and enhanced surfacing activity (1,000 ppb). Treatment of the medaka fish with fluoranthene caused a significant suppresson of acetycholine esterase (AChE) activities in the body portion but not in the head portion. When fish were exposed to 1,000 ppb of fluoranthene for 24 hr, the body AChE activities decreased from 126.${\pm}$31.89 (nmoles substrate hydrolyzed per min per mg protein) to 49.51${\pm}$11.99. Expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) protein in the different organs from both head and body portions were comparatively analyzed using an immunohistochemical technique. Five organs of the medaka fish showing a strong TH protein expression were the olfactory bulb, hypothalamus, optic lobe, pons and myelencephalon regions. This study provides molecular and neurobehavioral bases of a biomonitoring system for toxic chemicals using fish as a model organism.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.23-24
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• 2003

The goal of this study is to develop a biomarker used in monitoring abnormal behaviors of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) as a model organism caused by hazardous chemicals. Japanese medaka was treated by copper and fluoranthene of appropriate sublethal concentrations after starvation for 48 hr. In this study we investigated neural toxicity of copper and fluoranthene in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) along with comparative analysis of corresponding behavioral responses. The untreated individuals showed common behavioral characteristics (i.e., smooth and linear movements). Locomotive activity of the fish was monitored using an image processing and automatic data acquisition system. When treated with copper (100 ppb), the fish showed shaking patterns more frequently. As the concentration of copper increased to 1,000 ppb, activity decreased, and the fish showed an erratic movement. The treated with fluoranthene, however, showed stopping and abrupt change of orientation (100 ppb), and severely reduced locomotive activity and enhanced surfacing activity (1,000 ppb).

• Toxicological Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.295-303
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• 1996

Acute toxic effects of the Woo Whang Chung Shim Won suspension and pills were studied with the doses of 60, 74, 90, and 110 ml/kg in mice. In this study, we daily examined number of deaths, clinical signs, body weights, and pathological findings for 7 days after administration of Woo Whang Chung Shim Won. All mice given the highest dose (110ml/kg) died at 24 hour after administration of Sam-Sung Woo Whang Chung Shim Won suspension (Byunbang, SS-BS and Wonbang, SS-WS), one male and two female mice given 90 ml/kg dose of SS-BS died, and a few mice given middle dose (74 ml/kg) of SS-WS died. In control group (110 ml/kg) treated with vehicle (SS-BS and SS-WS), three out of 5 males and two out of 5 females mice died during the study. However, in animals treated with Kwang-Dong Woo Whang Chung Shim Won suspension (KD-S) and pill (KD-P), deaths were not observed. In the clinical signs, increase of drooling and decrease of spontaneous motor activities were observed in the highest dose group (110 ml/kg). No significant dose-related change in body weight was observed. The results suggest that the toxic effect of SS-BS and SS-WS may be atttributed to the solution for the Woo Whang Chung Shim Won suspension.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.201-207
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• 2019

Nanoxel-$PM^{TM}$ (Nanoxel) is a docetaxel-loaded methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(D,L-lactide) (mPEG-PDLLA). This newly developed and marketed nanoformulation exhibits an improved pharmacokinetic profile, efficacy, and safety. Although the safety of Nanoxel to docetaxel as well as its bioequivalence must be clinically confirmed, all biological activities have not been examined in in vitro or in vivo studies. Here, the toxicity in a cultured cell system and the effects on blood cells were tested with Nanoxel and docetaxel. The in vitro cytotoxicity of Nanoxel was found to be comparable to or slightly lower than that of docetaxel depending on the concentrations tested or the cell types. Neither docetaxel nor Nanoxel induced erythrocytes hemolysis and produced reactive oxygen species up to $100{\mu}M$. However, Nanoxel was able to enhance the aggregatory response of platelets to collagen, whereas docetaxel attenuated such aggregation in a range of $50-100{\mu}M$, while thrombin-induced aggregation was not affected by either of them. Docetaxel or Nanoxel did not alter basal level of $Ca^{2+}$ and 5-hydroxytryptamine-evoked $Ca^{2+}$ transient in vascular smooth muscle cells. These results suggest that the mPEG-PDLLA micellar formulation alters the toxicological properties of docetaxel, and that extra cautions are needed when evaluating the safety of nanomedicine.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.216-221
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• 2009

Bisphenol A (BPA) is commonly used in the production of pharmaceutical, industrial, and housing epoxy, as well as polycarbonate plastics. Owing to its extensive use, BPA can contaminate the environment either directly or through derivatives of these products. BPA has been classified as an endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs), and the primary toxicity of these EDCs in males involves the induction of reproductive system abnormality. First, in order to evaluate the direct effects on the Y chromosome associated with reproduction, we evaluated Y chromosome abnormalities using a Y chromosome microdeletion detection kit. However, we detected no Yq abnormality as the result of BPA exposure. Secondly, we performed high-density oligonucleotide array-based comparative genome hybridization (CGH) to assess genomic alteration as a component of our toxicity assessment. The results of our data analysis revealed some changes in copy number. Seven observed features were gains or losses in chromosomal DNA (P-value<1.0e-5, average log2 ratio>0.2). Interestingly, 21 probes of chr7:7312289-10272836 (qA1-qA2 in cytoband) were a commonly observed amplification (P-value 3.69e-10). Another region, chr14:4551029-10397399, was also commonly amplified (P-value 2.93e-12, average of log2 ratios in segment>0.3786). These regions include many genes associated with pheromone response, transcription, and signal transduction using ArrayToKegg software. These results help us to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the reproductive effects induced by BPA.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.794-800
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to propose a method of controlling freshwater algae which grows abundantly and forms water bloom in the eutrophic water body with $H_2O_2$. Both laboratory and field methodologies were used. For the laboratory test $H_2O_2$ was injected into the different growth phases of incubated Microcystis aeruginosa and the resulting algae growth control rate was examined. For the field test, $H_2O_2$ was dispersed into a lake. Lake water quality was evaluated using a pre-test and post-test analysis of chlorophyll-a, luminance, transmittance, etc., which allowed a comparative evaluation of water quality change. From the experimental results, the growth of algae can be controlled with the small amount of 1mg/L of $H_2O_2$ at the lag phase of growth. The field test results show that the green colour of lake water was removed completely by the reduction of chlorophyll-a and improved transmittance, luminance, TKN, TP, TOC and SS. These indicators of water quality were improved significantly after $H_2O_2$ injection. Toxicity test results using the lake fish show no evidence of detrimental effect of $H_2O_2$ up to 15mg/L. The results of $EC_{50}$ with P. phosphoreum show that the toxicity of $H_2O_2$ was negligible compared to copper which was commonly used for algae control.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2010

Objectives : In this study, we compared the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Curcumae longae Radix (CLRa) and Curcumae longae Rhizoma (CLRh). Methods : We performed 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and 2,2-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) cation scavenging assays, and determined total polyphenolic content to examine the anti-oxidant effects of CLRa and CLRh. We also evaluated the anti-oxidant effects of CLRa and CLRh against hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced toxicity in PC12 cells using thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays. Next, to compare the anti-inflammatory effects of CLRa and CLRh against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in microglia BV2 cells, we measured nitric oxide (NO) assay and inducible nitrite synthase (iNOS) using Western blotting analysis. Results : CLRa showed higher activity in DPPH and ABTS assays and lower total polyphenolic contents compared with CLRh. In PC12 cells, CLRa and CLRh showed no difference in H2O2-induced cell toxicity and ROS overproduction. In BV2 cells, CLRa showed higher effect than CLRh in NO and iNOS production induced by LPS. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that CLRa has higher radical scavenging activities and anti-inflammatory effect in BV2 cells comparing CLRh. However, CLRa and CLRh have no effect and no difference in $H_2O_2$-induced toxicity.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.127-133
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• 1999

'Gunja' is attributable to the plant Abrus precatorius L. (Leguminosae). Three forms with red, brown and another with white seeds are known to occur in this species and are employed for different therapeutic uses viz. as purgative, emetic, aphrodisiac, tonic and also as an abortifacient. According to some Ayurvedic literature the seeds are poisonous and should be given to the patients after proper processing ('Shodhan'). A comparative study of various phytochemical parameters, namely, percentage of successive extractives, total proteins, tannins, total ash and acid insoluble ash of these three forms of the processed (with cow's milk and Kanji) and unprocessed seeds was done. TLC and densitometric scanning of successive extractives was also carried out to serve as markers for processed and unprocessed seeds. The percentage of proteins, tannins, alcohol and water soluble extractives decreased in the processed material. Besides, their acute toxicity, CNS activity were also studied in albino mice and it was found that white seeds are more toxic as compared to the red and brown. The toxic effect was reduced with the processing. Further, the 'Kanji' processed seeds are less toxic than the milk processed one.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.409-419
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• 2023

Okadaic acid (OA) group toxins, including OA and its analogs, such as dinophysis toxins (DTXs), have been reported to cause diarrheal shellfish poisoning (DSP). These toxins are primarily produced by dinoflagellates and are accumulated in bivalves. Recently, the presence of Dinophysis sp., a causative alga of DSP, has been reported along the coasts of Korea, posing a potential risk of contamination to domestic seafood and exerting an impact on both the production and consumption of marine products. Accordingly, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have established standards for the permissible levels of OA group toxins in marine products for safety management. Additionally, in line with international initiatives, the domestic inclusion and regulation of DTX2 among the substances falling under the purview of management outlined by the 2022 diarrheal shellfish toxin standard have been implemented. In this study, we reviewed the physicochemical properties of OA group toxins, their various exposure routes (such as acute toxicity, genotoxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity), and the relative toxicity factors associated with these toxins. We also performed a comparative assessment of the methods employed for toxin analysis across different countries. Furthermore, we aimed to conduct a broad review of human exposure cases and assess the international guideline for risk management of OA group toxins.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.137-148
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• 1987

The wholesomeness studies on irradiated foods and the evaluation of the data obtained have been conducted at both national and international levels. The conclusion of the FAO/IAEA/WHO Expert Committee on Wholesomeness of Irradiated Food in 1980 that irradiated foods treated with doses up to 10 kGy are safe for human consumption are being significantly influencing on the regulatory circumstances, in individual countries as well as a regional economic community. Principles of the wholesomeness evaluation, importance of radiation chemical considerations, methodology of toxicological testing and the interpretation of in vitro and in vivo toxicity studies are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the progress of methods for wholesomeness studies and data evaluations and also on the importance e of comparative assessments together with safety problems concerning other food treatments and environmental factors.